Sonics Rising: All Posts by Mitchell NorthamThe sane voice of the Sonics' return to Seattlehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51481/sonicsrising-fav.png2015-04-17T09:35:01-07:00https://www.sonicsrising.com/authors/mitch-northam/rss2015-04-17T09:35:01-07:002015-04-17T09:35:01-07:00If we had votes...
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<figcaption>Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Mitch and Taylor roll through the end of the season awards and who they think should claim this year's MVP, ROY and others.</p> <p>None of of us here at Sonics Rising have votes for the NBA's end of the season awards, but two members of our staff - Mitchell Northam and Taylor Bartle - were thinking about who they would vote for if they did have a say.</p>
<h4><b><i>Most Valuable Player</i></b></h4>
<p><b>Mitch</b>: <span>Stephen Curry</span>, PG, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a><br> <b>Taylor</b>: Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors</p>
<p><b>Mitch</b>: This one is pretty easy. Curry is the best player on just the NBA's best team, but a team that might be historically great. He's the best shooter in the game, one of the best scorers, one of the best passers and has become the nucleus for a Warriors team destined for an appearance in the Finals. Some will say Curry didn't play enough crunch time minutes, but that's because he didn't have to - the Warriors and Curry were just that good this season.</p>
<p><b>Taylor</b>: I'm sorry to the Harden fans out there, but I just don't see it any other way. Curry had the highest net rating in the NBA at 17, with an offensive rating of 114.2. While Harden had the higher player impact estimate, Curry had the better assist to turnover ratio and TS%.</p>
<h4><b><i>Rookie of the Year</i></b></h4>
<p><b>Mitch</b>: <span>Nikola Mirotic</span>, F, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a><br> <b>Taylor</b>: Nikola Mirotic, F, Chicago Bulls</p>
<p><b>Mitch</b>: Sure, <span>Andrew Wiggins</span> steals the highlights and led all rookies in scoring, but if one looks deeply into advanced stats, Mirotic is the obvious choice. He has a real-plus/minus of 3.2 and a wins-over-replacement of 5.4 and holds edges over Wiggins in other stats like win shares (5.7 to 2.1) and player efficiency ratings (17.9 to 13.9). Mirotic's 20.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per-game in March helped keep the Bulls afloat when other players were hurt too.</p>
<p><b>Taylor</b>: This won't be the popular pick, but if you delve into the advanced stats, it's a hard one to deny. While Andrew Wiggins had a bigger role on his team, Mirotic had the higher player impact estimate (highest amongst rookies, in fact), the higher offensive rating (also tops amongst rookies), and the lower defensive rating (lower is better, and Mirotic's was the second lowest). Mirotic also has the higher TS%, higher REB%, and higher assist to turnover ratio.</p>
<h4><b><i>Defensive Player of the Year</i></b></h4>
<p><b>Mitch</b>: <span>Kawhi Leonard</span>, G/F, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a><br> <b>Taylor</b>: <span>Draymond Green</span>, F, Golden State Warriors</p>
<p><b>Mitch</b>: Sure, he missed 19 games, but Kawhi has been the Spurs' best player this season and has been the league's best defender since he returned from injury. Leonard was often assigned to guarding the opposing team's best perimeter players and most of the time took them out of the game. His long arms and large hands allowed him to notch 148 steals - the fourth most - this season too.</p>
<p><b>Taylor</b>: It's really hard not to give this award to Kawhi Leonard, but he did miss 15 more games than Green. Green averaged 1.6 steals, 1.3 blocks, 8.2 rebounds and a defensive rating of 96.0 this season. He can guard any position on the floor.</p>
<h4><b><i>Sixth Man of the Year</i></b></h4>
<p><b>Mitch</b>: <span>Isaiah Thomas</span>, PG, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a><br> <b>Taylor</b>: Isaiah Thomas, PG, Boston Celtics</p>
<p><b>Mitch</b>: The field for Sixth Man of the Year isn't great, but IT4 stands out among the rest. Since arriving in Boston the Celtics have been much better and he has essentially become their closer and their glue guy. He contributed to some chemistry issues while in Phoenix, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a> still scored more when he was on the floor. Since arriving in Boston he hasn't started, but has played 26 minutes per game and is their leading scorer this season with 19 points-per-game.</p>
<p><b>Taylor</b>: Nepotism? Maybe, but Thomas is a big reason why the young Celtics are in the playoffs. IT is averaging 16.4 points, 4.2 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. He also has a tendency to play with fellow point guard <span>Marcus Smart</span> and has shown his ability to run the team with the game on the line.</p>
<h4><b><i>Most Improved Player</i></b></h4>
<p><b>Mitch</b>: <span>Rudy Gobert</span>, C, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a><br> <b>Taylor</b>: Rudy Gobert, C, Utah Jazz</p>
<p><b>Mitch</b>: When this season started some - including myself - thought, "Wow, Rudy Gobert. What a bust." But now, 82 games later those same people and I are asking, "Is this guy one of the five best centers in the league?" It is certainly shaping out that he could become that. The Stifle Tower improved in every aspect of his game from his rookie season and after the All-Star break he averaged a stat line of 34.4 minutes, 57.6 percent from the field, 13.4 rebounds, 11.1 points, 1.8 assists, 2.6 blocks and a steal per-game.</p>
<p><b>Taylor</b>: While Gobert's increase in points, rebounds, and blocks can be chocked up to more minutes, he also greatly improved his shooting percentage (from 48.6 to 60.4%) and free throw percentage (49.2 to 62.3%). He has also become the defensive anchor of one of the top young teams in the league.</p>
<h4><b><i>Coach of the Year</i></b></h4>
<p><b>Mitch</b>: Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors<br> <b>Taylor</b>: <span>Mike Budenholzer</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a></p>
<p><b>Mitch</b>: Sure, Kerr inherited a great roster. But he has been able to do with this Warriors team what <span>Mark Jackson</span> couldn't. He took them from being a good team in the West to the best team in the NBA and perhaps a historical season. The Warriors won 67 games this season - the most in franchise history - and Kerr had a little bit to do with that. Whatever the mystery was to unlocking this team, Kerr solved it in just his first season as an NBA head coach.</p>
<p><b>Taylor</b>: Coach Bud took practically the same roster as last year, which won 38 games, and turned them into the best team in the Eastern Conference, winning 60 games and turning into "Spurs east." While a healthy <span>Al Horford</span> certainly helps, the Hawks are playing as a team, and at one point the entire starting lineup was named Player of the Week.</p>
<p>--</p>
<p>Who would you vote for as MVP and other awards this season? Why? Let us know in the comments.</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2015/4/17/8444023/breaking-down-nba-awards-mvp-royMitchell NorthamTaylor Made2015-04-10T09:30:02-07:002015-04-10T09:30:02-07:00NBA Thoughts: Don't Trade Melo
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<figcaption>Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The New York Knicks need to hit the reset button after a dreadful 2014-15 season, but they need Carmelo Anthony to stick around. Trading him is not the answer.</p> <p>Phil Jackson was supposed to find the answers to the questions surrounding the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a> when he was hired as the President of the franchise last summer.</p>
<p>How could they get back to 50 wins? How can they keep <span>Carmelo Anthony</span>? How can they improve the roster? Who is going to coach the team? Will the triangle work? Can Phil put a spell on James Dolan to make him leave?</p>
<p>Over 60 losses and nearly a year later, the Knicks know the answers to some of these questions, but more have risen.</p>
<p>The triangle won't work - obviously. <span>Derek Fisher</span> is the coach - but won't be for much longer, clearly.</p>
<p>How can the Knicks improve the roster?</p>
<p>Where do they go from here?</p>
<p>How do the Knicks - <i>gasp! </i>- rebuild?</p>
<p>Many have said that the way that Knicks should go about kick-starting their rebuild is to do what the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Celtics</a>, <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Timberwolves</a> and <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Magic</a> have done in recent years: trade their superstar player(s).</p>
<p>But that's exactly what the Knicks shouldn't do. Carmelo Anthony - while injured this year - is all that they have. Melo wants to be a Knick and having him healthy in 2015, 2016 and 2017 could be the one piece that attracts star soon-to-be-free agents.</p>
<p>Phil Jackson certainly isn't that guy anymore to attract superstar - or even mid-level free agent talent.</p>
<p>Sure, trading the superstar has worked for some teams, but the sample size for that success is super small. Recently, there are two examples that can be pointed to as successes - one of which involves Carmelo Anthony.</p>
<p>Anthony wanted to be in a big city so bad that he was able to leverage a trade out of Denver in 2011, but not without then <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nuggets</a>' GM Masai Ujiri putting his hand in it.</p>
<p>The Knicks gave up <span>Danilo Gallinari</span>, <span>Wilson Chandler</span>, <span>Raymond Felton</span>, <span>Timofey Mozgov</span>, a 2012 second-round pick (<span>Quincy Miller</span>), a 2013 second rounder (<span>Romero Osby</span>), their 2014 first rounder (through draft day trades turned into Jusuf Nurkić ), the right to swap picks in 2016 (which the Nuggets will now be swapping with Toronto) and $3 million cash to Denver.</p>
<p>The Knicks sent that package for Anthony and five other players - who wound up playing a combined 71 games for the Knicks. Yet another example of the Knicks not necessarily losing a trade, but not getting what they probably could or should have gotten.</p>
<h5>Anyways...</h5>
<p>The Nuggets went to the playoffs in 2012 and 2013 - where they won 55 regular season games - but lost in the first round both times. After dismissing then head coach <span>George Karl</span> and hiring <span>Brian Shaw</span>, the Nuggets are now looking to re-build again - probably - after their second consecutive sub-36 win season.</p>
<p>So sure, two playoff trips. Some success, but an ovverall feeling of meh for the post-Melo Nuggets.</p>
<p>How about the still in-progress, post-KG, Pierce and Rondo Celtics? The first year was pretty terrible, but now in a weak eastern conference, the Celtics are almost back in the playoffs again. But is that a good thing for this Celtics team?</p>
<p>It probably doesn't matter, because there isn't much of a difference between the 9<sup>th</sup> and 15<sup>th</sup> pick in the draft. The upside that the Celtics now have is that they are continuing on this rebuilding path with a (maybe) playoff team full of trade-able assets and up Danny Ainge's sleeve are several draft picks from several teams in the league.</p>
<p>Awesome coach: check.</p>
<p>Playoffs: (maybe) check.</p>
<p>Young team: check.</p>
<p>History of winning: check.</p>
<p>Draft picks: check.</p>
<p>Things to trade for a superstar: (maybe) check.</p>
<p>Yea, the Celtics are on their way to re-building and becoming a contender again, but it's all contingent on if those assets and/or draft picks become a superstar, or two, or three.</p>
<p>What about the other teams that traded their superstar player?</p>
<p>The Orlando Magic since trading <span>Dwight Howard</span>: 68 wins, 174 losses. No playoffs.</p>
<p><i>Since their only a year in-progress with the post-<span>Kevin Love</span> era, let' go here</i>: <br> The Minnesota Timberwolves since trading <span>Kevin Garnett</span>: 191 wins, 445 losses. No playoffs.</p>
<p>The Knicks have messed up a lot of things in the past two years, but trading Carmelo wouldn't kick-start a rebuild - it would just drive them further into their grave. Besides, through the trades that have happened under <span>Phil Jackson's</span> watch, it's known that he's not really good at trading players.</p>
<p>He gave away <span>Tyson Chandler</span> over the summer. Then a few months later he gave away <span>Iman Shumpert</span> just so he could get rid of <span>J.R. Smith</span>. Moreover, he made all of these trades when these players' values were at their absolute lowest, which is like, how not to win a trade.</p>
<p>Here' what the Knicks do from here:</p>
<p>Fire Derek Fisher. Phil Jackson can find a manikin to do a better job coaching the team.</p>
<p>Hire like, and actual general manager. One that understands how drafting and trades and things work. Take a vacation Phil.</p>
<p>Ditch the Triangle. It's 2015, not 1993. The Triangle isn't effective anymore because A) defenses are too sophisticated and smart. B) the Triangle is a pretty complex offense that needs certain types of players to make it work (none of which the Knicks have) and most specifically, it's tough for stars to readjust to that system this late into their career (like Melo).</p>
<p>Finally...</p>
<h4><b>DON'T TRADE MELO. DON'T TRADE THAT FIRST ROUND PICK.</b></h4>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2015/4/10/8372105/how-knicks-should-rebuild-meloMitchell Northam2015-02-24T10:44:29-08:002015-02-24T10:44:29-08:00Is Tony Wroten part of the 76ers' future?
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<figcaption>Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Is Seattle-native Tony Wroten a key part of whatever future Sam Hinkie has planned for the 76ers?</p> <p>It's been five days since a record-high 37 players were traded on the day of the NBA's trade deadline, but many fans are still trying to wrap their head around what exactly happened, who went where and why, and if any of the moves really mean anything.</p>
<p>One of the more puzzling moves was seeing <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia 76ers</a>' General Manager Sam Hinkie pawn-off rookie <span>K.J. McDaniels</span> to his buddy Daryl Morey of the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> for <span>Isaiah Canaan</span> and a second round pick.</p>
<p>Like, how in the hell did the Houston Rockets - a team that is poised to contend for the Western Conference title - pull off a deal to get K.J. freakin' McDaniels?</p>
<p>It's simple really: McDaniels just isn't a part of the future 76ers that Hinkie envisions.</p>
<p>But that statement begs a bigger question: when do the 76ers stop turning over assets and start building something that resembles a competitive NBA team?</p>
<p>Apparently that step in the process is still a few years away, because on Thursday, not only did Hinkie give up McDaniels, but he also swapped second-year point guard <span>Michael Carter-Williams</span> for a first round pick.</p>
<p>Among the players that were on the 76ers' roster, Carter-Williams and McDaniels were two of some players that resembled the closest thing to building blocks for a future.</p>
<p>As a rookie shooting guard, McDaniels was averaging around 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks per-36-minutes as a 76er and will certainly boost the bench of the Rockets as wing that can defend, dunk and block heading into the playoffs. He's bound to own Twitter for a night in May with a highlight.</p>
<p>Carter-Williams was also enjoying a decent statistical season in year two - putting up around 15 points, seven assists, six rebounds and a steal per-game. The Milwuakee <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bucks</a> like him enough to give up All-Star snub <span>Brandon Knight</span> in a three-team trade.</p>
<p>With the 76ers giving up Carter-Williams and McDaniels for more assets - aka draft picks and young players - is anyone really safe on that team? Are there any players who are absolutely untouchable? Are there any players on the current roster that are a part of their future plans?</p>
<p>One would think that two players that fall into that category are <span>Nerlens Noel</span> and <span>Joel Embiid</span> - two big men taken in the top five of the 2013 and 2014 drafts - but even they <a target="_blank" href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/markheisler/2015/02/23/permanently-rebuilding-76ers-just-offered-anyone-on-their-team-for-more-no-1-picks/">are available for the right price</a>.</p>
<p>What about <span>Tony Wroten</span>?</p>
<p>Sure, on trade-deadline day, GM's were uninterested because Wroten is recovering from a partially torn ACL, but is it possible that Hinkie and head coach <span>Brett Brown</span> want to keep Wroten around when the building starts? Or at least, is their asking price higher than it was for Carter-Williams and McDaniels?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"He has such a gift at getting to the rim and a pit-bull mentality," Sixers coach Brett Brown <a target="_blank" href="http://grantland.com/the-triangle/what-hath-shammgod-wroten-the-emergence-of-another-sixers-point-guard/">told Grantland</a>. "He's 6-6, 215 pounds, and can go dunk on people. Imagine the package you could have if you improved his perimeter game. We coach him hard, we talk to him clearly. There's not many punches held."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Since arriving in Philadelphia two summers ago - as an asset, in a trade with the <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Memphis Grizzlies</a> - he has only gotten better and just in every statistical category (which you can see below), but the Seattle-native has become more fearless, and Philadelphia has created an environment for him where it's ok to fail, as long as the players are learning from it and getting better from it.</p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="928">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p>Season</p>
</td>
<td width="37" valign="top">
<p>Age</p>
</td>
<td width="47" valign="top">
<p>Tm</p>
</td>
<td width="29" valign="top">
<p>G</p>
</td>
<td width="30" valign="top">
<p>GS</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>MP</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>FG</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>FGA</p>
</td>
<td width="41" valign="top">
<p>FG%</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>3P</p>
</td>
<td width="38" valign="top">
<p>3PA</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>3P%</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>FT</p>
</td>
<td width="37" valign="top">
<p>FTA</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>FT%</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>ORB</p>
</td>
<td width="39" valign="top">
<p>DRB</p>
</td>
<td width="38" valign="top">
<p>TRB</p>
</td>
<td width="37" valign="top">
<p>AST</p>
</td>
<td width="34" valign="top">
<p>STL</p>
</td>
<td width="36" valign="top">
<p>BLK</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>TOV</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>PF</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>PTS</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p>2012-13</p>
</td>
<td width="37" valign="top">
<p>19</p>
</td>
<td width="47" valign="top">
<p>MEM</p>
</td>
<td width="29" valign="top">
<p>35</p>
</td>
<td width="30" valign="top">
<p>0</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>7.8</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>0.9</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>2.5</p>
</td>
<td width="41" valign="top">
<p>.384</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>0.1</p>
</td>
<td width="38" valign="top">
<p>0.5</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>.250</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>0.6</p>
</td>
<td width="37" valign="top">
<p>0.8</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>.724</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>0.4</p>
</td>
<td width="39" valign="top">
<p>0.4</p>
</td>
<td width="38" valign="top">
<p>0.8</p>
</td>
<td width="37" valign="top">
<p>1.2</p>
</td>
<td width="34" valign="top">
<p>0.2</p>
</td>
<td width="36" valign="top">
<p>0.1</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>0.8</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>1.0</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>2.6</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p>2013-14</p>
</td>
<td width="37" valign="top">
<p>20</p>
</td>
<td width="47" valign="top">
<p>PHI</p>
</td>
<td width="29" valign="top">
<p>72</p>
</td>
<td width="30" valign="top">
<p>16</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>24.5</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>4.8</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>11.2</p>
</td>
<td width="41" valign="top">
<p>.427</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>0.6</p>
</td>
<td width="38" valign="top">
<p>2.6</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>.213</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>2.9</p>
</td>
<td width="37" valign="top">
<p>4.5</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>.641</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>1.0</p>
</td>
<td width="39" valign="top">
<p>2.2</p>
</td>
<td width="38" valign="top">
<p>3.2</p>
</td>
<td width="37" valign="top">
<p>3.0</p>
</td>
<td width="34" valign="top">
<p>1.1</p>
</td>
<td width="36" valign="top">
<p>0.2</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>2.8</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>2.1</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>13.0</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p>2014-15</p>
</td>
<td width="37" valign="top">
<p>21</p>
</td>
<td width="47" valign="top">
<p>PHI</p>
</td>
<td width="29" valign="top">
<p>30</p>
</td>
<td width="30" valign="top">
<p>15</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>29.8</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>5.8</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>14.5</p>
</td>
<td width="41" valign="top">
<p>.403</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>1.2</p>
</td>
<td width="38" valign="top">
<p>4.7</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>.261</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>4.0</p>
</td>
<td width="37" valign="top">
<p>6.0</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>.667</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>0.7</p>
</td>
<td width="39" valign="top">
<p>2.1</p>
</td>
<td width="38" valign="top">
<p>2.9</p>
</td>
<td width="37" valign="top">
<p>5.2</p>
</td>
<td width="34" valign="top">
<p>1.6</p>
</td>
<td width="36" valign="top">
<p>0.3</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>3.8</p>
</td>
<td width="33" valign="top">
<p>2.4</p>
</td>
<td width="40" valign="top">
<p>16.9</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>In a league that is point-guard driven right now, letting go of Wroten and drafting a point guard in the upcoming 2015 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NBA Draft</a> means that 76ers once again would be handing the reigns of an offense off to a rookie and they would be in charge of feeding a young front-court of Noel and Embiid - essentially, whoever is running the point for the 76ers next season will have a hand in helping develop both of these players.</p>
<p>With the increase in playing time for Wroten and with his game coming along with it, perhaps Hinkie and Brown both believe that he is the right man to run the offense and run pick-and-rolls with a young set of bigs next season and after.</p>
<p>Everything isn't sunshine and rainbows with Wroten though, he - like this Philadelphia team as a whole - has flaws. He's recovering from an ACL tear, he's still trying to figure out how to be less one-dimensional - he is severely left handed - and he needs to improve on his shooting.</p>
<p>But hey, he can finish at the rim and he's a decent passer and a pretty good defender. That's more than most NBA guards can say.</p>
<p>Wroten - also like this Philadelphia team - is still developing. One day in the future, the team might be good and Wroten might be leading them. Or, maybe the team will be good and Wroten will be wearing a different jersey because Hinkie traded him for the rights to an overseas player or a future second round pick that isn't available until 2029.</p>
<p>One of the reason's many think that Hinkie traded McDaniels is because he had no interest in matching a restricted free agent offer that the athletic wing might warrant this summer.</p>
<p>Wroten on the other hand had his team option with the 76ers picked up on Oct. 30 of 2014.</p>
<p>That option doesn't come with a no-trade clause though, so it's still unclear what Wroten's future with the 76ers is.</p>
<p>He's either a part of their future or a piece for a future trade - but in this league today, isn't everybody?</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2015/2/24/8102713/future-philadelphia-76ers-tony-wroten-seattleMitchell Northam2015-01-09T14:03:11-08:002015-01-09T14:03:11-08:00What's in the future for former Sonic Ray Allen?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KBaOXdGheTH0Vc9r5pyVj6tBbT8=/0x237:2044x1600/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45188732/72672409.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The former Sonic has yet to sign with a team this season, but he has also yet to retire. What does the future hold for the league's all-time three-point shooter?</p> <p>For the first time since 1996, something is missing from the landscape of the National Basketball Association.</p>
<p>It's pretty obvious what it is.</p>
<p>It's missing <span>Ray Allen</span>: the NBA's all-time leader in three-pointers made. And the fact is, no one is quite sure if - much less where - he will play again.</p>
<p>Allen was a dominant force in the NBA for many years. He made his money as a scorer and shooter for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Bucks</a>, Sonics and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a> and his career turned into a story of one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. Then, over the past few years with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a>, Allen began to take a back seat, but one he excelled in. He transformed his career from being a star - or a member of a Big Three - to being a successful role player as an off-the-bench shooter.</p>
<p>Surely, just seven months removed from his last successful NBA three-pointer made, Allen can still assist a team in that department and give a playoff team five to nine points-per-game.</p>
<p>But will he?</p>
<p>Over the summer, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11332005/ray-allen-says-play-next-season-rather-retiring" target="_blank">Chris Broussard of ESPN</a> reported the following about the sniper from behind the arc:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>Ray Allen has told people close to him that he will play in the NBA next season instead of retiring, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.</i></p>
<p><i>While the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> are the frontrunner for Allen, the source said the 10-time All-Star has not completely decided where he will play. Cleveland is the favorite due to the return of <span>LeBron James</span>, with whom Allen played with on the Miami Heat the past two seasons. ...</i></p>
<p><i>At 39 years old, Allen's goal is to win a third NBA championship so he will only consider playing for title contenders. It is not clear what other clubs are on Allen's radar, but nearly every contender would be interested in adding him to its roster.</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Near the end of that article, Broussard quotes Allen saying: <i>"It's August and I don't want to rush to judgment. I want to get to September and see how I really feel."</i></p>
<p>September, eh?</p>
<p>Well now it's January and Allen has yet to appear on an NBA roster. He's yet to appear for even a workout. And he has yet to appear on the Twitter feeds of the Broussard's, Stein's and Woj's of the world.</p>
<p>So is Allen done?</p>
<p>He seemed like it in an interview back in August with <a href="http://www.courant.com/sports/basketball/hc-ray-allen-camp-0803-20140802-story.html" target="_blank">Don Amore of the Hartford Courant</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"I'm not in any rush [to make a decision]," Allen said during a break in the Citi Ray Allen Basketball ProCamp at East Granby High on Saturday morning. "I've played 18 years, and the way I look at my career, I'm content with everything that I've done. I just want to take this summer and see how it goes." ...</i></p>
<p><i>"To continue playing, really, the only argument is I can because I'm in great shape," Allen said. "But just because you can doesn't mean you have to. Many people over these last couple of weeks have lobbied for me to continue to play. ... My argument for not playing is, I have done a significant amount in my career and I appreciate everything that has come my way and as I've gotten older, I'm 39, there are so many things in life I want to be able to do to affect change - like being around kids full time, which I enjoy.</i></p>
<p><i>"So at this point I just feel so good about where I am."</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>So what if Allen is done?</p>
<p>Then that's just fine. He doesn't owe fans or the game anything. He's a two-time champion, the game's all-time leader in three-point shots made and will be remembered for numerous numbers of clutch shots. In a few years, he'll be a first-ballot inductee into the Hall of Fame and he'll be remembered amongst the greatest of shooters, clutch performers, and shooting guards of all-time (and he's JESUS SHUTTLESWORTH!).</p>
<p>But what if he isn't done? What if a playoff team makes an offer to sign the shooter very soon? Who would make an offer? Where would he fit in?</p>
<p>The answer is simple. There are three likely destinations for Allen if he so chooses to sign up for professional basketball this season. They are the Cleveland Cavaliers, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a>.</p>
<p>The Cavaliers are attractive for obvious reasons. He'd be reuniting with former teammates LeBron James, <span>James Jones</span>, and <span>Mike Miller</span>, while also showing a roster that has championship potential with stars like <span>Kevin Love</span> and <span>Kyrie Irving</span>.</p>
<p>But the Cavs could also appear unattractive. For one, Allen's position on the roster is a crowded one. Are there enough minutes to split between he, Miller, <span>Iman Shumpert</span>, and <span>J.R. Smith</span>? Are there enough shots to be split between those four plus LeBron, Kyrie and Love? Probably not.</p>
<p>The Cavs are also in a bit of a mess right now. Their coach is being doubted, LeBron is hurt - for now - and Love is having one of the worst seasons of his career. Although, perhaps signing Allen is more likely for the Cavs seeing as how they<a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2015-01-07/aj-price-ray-allen-cleveland-cavaliers" target="_blank"> just cleared a roster spot</a> by cutting AJ Price.</p>
<p>Well, how about the Clippers?</p>
<p>They're attractive too, but they don't necessarily need a shooter like Allen with guys like <span>Jamal Crawford</span>, <span>J.J. Redick</span>, and others on the roster. They certainly wouldn't be the team who could offer Allen the biggest contract either, which, at this point in his career probably isn't too important but hey, money is money. It's also no secret that this Clippers team<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/clippers/post/_/id/7121/team-friction-rivers-it-doesnt-matter" target="_blank"> doesn't absolutely love playing with each other</a>, so while reuniting with <span>Doc Rivers</span> would make for a good story, perhaps L.A. isn't the best fit for the 39-year-old shooting guard.</p>
<p>Another reunion would make for a good story too. There is an opportunity in the nation's capital for Allen to reunite with an original member of Boston's Big Three in <span>Paul Pierce</span>.</p>
<p>Signing with the Washington Wizards makes the most sense. One, he'd be playing in the eastern conference, which presents a much easier path to reach the finals than say, joining the Clippers in the west. Secondly, he'd be playing with a young star guard in <span>John Wall</span> who excels at getting shooters open looks - he's gotten two players big contracts because of it (see also: <span>Trevor Ariza</span>, <span>Martell Webster</span>). Third, he'd be reuniting with Pierce who has been a bit more friendly in the media when talking about Allen than the other third of their Big Three - <span>Kevin Garnett</span> - had been.</p>
<p>Finally, Washington's roster presents the opportunity for Ray to see the most amount of time on the court. The shooting guard position isn't a crowded one: <span>Bradley Beal</span> starts and then players like Webster and others rotate in and out between there and the three spot while Beal is on the bench. Glen Rice Jr. was in the mix too, but since waiving him on Monday, there is an open roster spot on the Zards that they have yet to fill.</p>
<p>Also, the Wizards on their way to a top-four seed in the playoffs and have better records currently than that of the Cavaliers or Clippers.</p>
<p>Earlier this week, CSN-Washington reporter <a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/morning-tip-wizards-keep-allen-nelson-birch-focus" target="_blank">J. Michael reported this</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>Ray Allen is not out of the picture. He still hasn't given an answer about his intention to play again, but two people on separate sides of the matter have said the Wizards have made "routine" contact -- using this exact word -- since first expressing their interest in July. Until Allen says, "I'm retired" or "No thanks," the Wizards will continue to chase him.</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>So for the Wizards and Allen, the chase is on. Maybe he signs, maybe he doesn't, but whatever he decides he should do it soon before teams move on and find other players to fill out their rosters.</p>
<p>Then again, any playoff team would gladly make the addition of Ray Allen to their roster seconds before a game seven of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals">NBA Finals</a> if they could.</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2015/1/9/7522223/ray-allen-play-nba-again-wizards-cavs-clippers-sonicsMitchell Northam2014-11-18T21:46:37-08:002014-11-18T21:46:37-08:00Quiet night for the 206
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f-rnfh4V_qXDxVOce_z7tUDlMFM=/0x412:2727x2230/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44185028/usa-today-7942621.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The two big men were the only PNW guys to log minutes on Tuesday night.</p> <p>Basketball players from the Pacific-Northwest did not have the NBA going up, on a Tuesday.</p>
<p>Ok, that was really bad. Apologies for channeling my inner <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avFq9errZCk" target="_blank">ILoveMakonnen</a>, but that song is really catchy.</p>
<p>Anyways.</p>
<p>Just three players from our 206 tracker suited up on Tuesday night and the results... weren't great.</p>
<table style="table-layout: fixed; font-size: 13px; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #ccc;" border="1" dir="ltr" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="199">
<col width="40">
<col width="59">
<col width="61">
<col width="64">
<col width="43">
<col width="54">
<col width="52">
<col width="38">
<col width="37">
<col width="42">
<col width="31">
<col width="40">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"PNWer"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #968c8c; border-top: 1px solid #bfb9b9; border-bottom: 1px solid #bfb9b9; border-left: 1px solid #bfb9b9; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #000000;">PNWer</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"PTS"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center; background-color: #ffff00;">PTS</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"FGM-A"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #968c8c; border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center;">FGM-A</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"3PM-A"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #968c8c; border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center;">3PM-A</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"FTM-A"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #968c8c; border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center;">FTM-A</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"REB"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center; background-color: #ffff00;">REB</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"OREB"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #968c8c; border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center;">OREB</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"DREB"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #999999; border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center;">DREB</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"AST"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center; background-color: #ffff00;">AST</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"STL"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center; background-color: #ffff00;">STL</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BLK"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center; background-color: #ffff00;">BLK</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TO"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #968c8c; border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center;">TO</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MIN"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #968c8c; border-top: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center;">MIN</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Robert Sacre (Lakers)"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #000000;">Robert Sacre (Lakers)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,4]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">4</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"2-4"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">2-4</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"0-0"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">0-0</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"0-0"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">0-0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0]" style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]" style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0]" style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,12]" style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">12</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Reggie Evans (Kings)"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #000000;">Reggie Evans (Kings)</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"-"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">-</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"-"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #d9d9d9; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">-</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"-"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #d9d9d9; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">-</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"-"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #d9d9d9; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">-</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"-"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">-</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"-"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #d9d9d9; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">-</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"-"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #d9d9d9; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">-</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"-"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">-</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"-"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">-</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"-"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">-</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"-"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #d9d9d9; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">-</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"DNP"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #d9d9d9; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">DNP</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Nick Collison (Thunder)"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #000000;">Nick Collison (Thunder)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,8]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">8</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"3-6"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">3-6</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"2-5"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">2-5</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,1]" data-sheets-value='[null,2,"0-0"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">0-0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]" style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]" style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #ffff00; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]" style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,21]" style="padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">21</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Former Sonic Reggie Evans suited up but didn't see the floor for the Kings in their loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebirdwrites.com/">New Orleans Pelicans</a>, but apparently he did some coaching.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p>Kings lead has shrunk to 57-56. Reggie Evans doing a lot of talking in the huddle before coach takes over.</p>
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) <a href="https://twitter.com/mr_jasonjones/status/534927169898553344">November 19, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Fellow former Sonic Nick Collison on the other hand did see the floor, but his Oklahoma City Thunder squad lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a>. Collison hit a pair of three-pointers and scored eight points to go along with an assist, a block and three rebounds in 21 minutes of play. At 3-9 without <span>Russell Westbrook</span> and <span>Kevin Durant</span>, I'm beginning to wonder just how far this OKC team can go this season. The Western Conference is tough, and with rising teams like the Kings, Pelicans and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a>, is it possible that the Thunder miss the post season? Maybe.</p>
<p>Here's Collison's <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/jazz/2014/11/18/0021400157-okc-uta-play1.nba/" target="_blank">highlight of the night, a block against</a> Alex Burks. (H/T to <a href="https://twitter.com/JDonsports" target="_blank">@JDonSports</a> for the GIF)</p>
<p><iframe src="http://gfycat.com/ifr/FabulousSoftFirecrest" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="652" height="330" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden;-webkit-transform: scale(1);"></iframe></p>
<p>But hey! The Lakers won on Tuesday night, and former Gonzaga center Robert Sacre chipped in with four points, a steal and a rebound in Team Kobe's 114-109 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a>.</p>
<p>There are 11 NBA games on tap for tomorrow night and frequent 206 Tracker Stars like <span>Jeff Green</span> and <span>Jamal Crawford</span> are back in action.</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/11/18/7245139/206-tracker-nick-collison-and-robert-sacre-play-professionalMitchell Northam2014-10-21T08:58:00-07:002014-10-21T08:58:00-07:00Point-Guard Evolution
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jm9LvYpjrox0fZ7Vibry6yy8v9o=/0x10:600x410/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42281244/GYI0063265444.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>How has the position changed from the 1940's to now, and who, from Cousy to Magic, helped change it.</p> <p>When the game of basketball began many years ago, the point guard was traditionally seen as the player who would take the inbounds pass, bring the ball up the floor, call a play and run the offense; passing off to the player in the best position to score, sometimes scoring himself, but usually not acting as the first scoring option.</p>
<p>Over time, the point guard position has evolved and has perhaps changed much more than any other position in the history of the NBA, and it also might be the most important position in the game.</p>
<p>Sure, the "pass-first" floor general type of point guard still exists, but so do the point guards that refuse to be held in a box and refuse to conform to the label of "just a facilitator."</p>
<p>The position has a plethora of players to thank as it has evolved over the past few decades; Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Magic</a> Johnson, <span>Gary Payton</span>, <span>Steve Nash</span> and <span>Derrick Rose</span>, just to name a few.</p>
<p>But how did the point guard become a position of versatile wild card-ness that it is today?</p>
<p><b>The man behind Mikan:</b></p>
<p>In the early days of the NBA, before the shot clock came about, big man George Mikan and the Minneapolis <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a> ruled the scene winning five titles between 1949 and 1954. Mikan was a dominating center and towered over opposing defenders at 6'10" and was able to revolutionize the center position with his rebounding, shot blocking and scoring around the rim.</p>
<p>But someone had to get Mikan the ball, and his name was Slater Martin.</p>
<p>Martin played professional basketball from 1949 to 1960 and won five titles, four with the Lakers and one with the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Hawks</a>, and as a member of those Lakers teams he embodied what a traditional point guard was meant to do; facilitate and run the offense.</p>
<p>Martin was also a hell of a defender during his time in pro hoops and was named to seven all-star teams for his flashy passes and hard-nosed defense. Martin also had his battles with another great, Bob Cousy.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"Slater was the only one I used to call for help on. I used to tell my big people to set picks as often as they felt like it." - Bob Cousy</i></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"Cousy could do all that stuff, going behind his back and everything, but of course they let him get away with palming the ball, but he went behind his back on me, and I told him that if he did that again that I would break his nose. He didn't do it again." - Slater Martin</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>The first revolution, courtesy of The Cooz:</b></p>
<p>The Cooz. The Houdini of the Hardwood.</p>
<p>Bob Cousy was a point guard ahead of his time playing through the fifties and early sixties. Cousy had it all; the handle, the passing, the scoring from inside and out. What he was doing with a basketball then hadn't been done before and if it had, fans only saw passes like his in a Globetrotters game; he led the league in assists eight straight times.</p>
<p>But Cousy was unable to lead the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Celtics</a> to a title until the arrival of Bill Russell.</p>
<p>Once Russell arrived in Boston, he and Cousy helped create the modern day fast-break. Russell grabbed the rebound, hit the outlet to Cousy, he passed once more and boom, easy points that helped these Celtics win five straight titles and created a more fast-paced enjoyable style of basketball that helped keep the league entertaining and alive during the late 50's.</p>
<p>Some would say that Cousy was to the NBA what Babe Ruth was to baseball, and some might disagree, but at least everyone can agree that he was at the very least the Babe Ruth of point guards.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5QCP6mMMH2Q" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Ahead of his time:</b></p>
<p>When Cousy's reign as the top point guard was coming to an end, another point guard was ready to take over, except, this guy wasn't built like one.</p>
<p>Oscar Robertson stood tall at 6'5" and 205 ibs and at first glance you would have pegged him as a small forward in that era of the NBA. But Oscar was a point guard; and a damn good one too.</p>
<p>He's still the only player to average a triple-double, in 1962, and barely missed the mark on four other separate occasions as well. The Big O was not only a magnificent passer and scorer, but he was able to use his size to battle with the bigs down low for tough rebounds and dominated just about every other point guard at the time because he was bigger than the run-of-the-mill guard.</p>
<p>Over his career, The Big O averaged 25.7 PPG 9.5 APG and 7.5 RPG, and helped pave the way for bigger and more versatile point guards like Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway.</p>
<p><b>Lenny; the defender, the coach, the floor general:</b></p>
<p>Before he was a great coach, Lenny Wilkens was one of the NBA's best point guards from 1960 to 1975. Wilkens was balanced and played a text-book style of traditional point guard with a bit of elite defending sprinkled in.</p>
<p>The one thing that was clear with Wilkens, a nine time all-star during his playing days, was that he was the commander on the court. Yes he brought the ball up, yes he ran the offense, but he also played with confidence and swagger and was an extension of the coach on the hardwood, much like how a quarterback is an on-field extension of a coach in football.</p>
<p>Those traits and more helped Wilkens become one of the league's first successful player-coaches, and helped him lead the Seattle SuperSonics to a title in 1979.</p>
<p><b>Clyde:</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"It's Clyde's ball, he just lets us play with it once in a while." - Willis Reed</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Walt Frazier, or Clyde as he was known by teammates and fans, was the floor general of the New York Knick teams of the 1970's. When the Garden was Eden, was when Clyde was running his show.</p>
<p>Clyde was more of a dictator of the offense than a general though; as Reed said, it was his ball; he just sometimes let the other <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a> play with it. Still, if he was the dictator, or the general, or whatever, he was an artistic one. Frazier possessed quick hands, peripheral vision like no other, a smooth handle and he stepped on and off the court with more swag than anyone in the city of New York.</p>
<p>But his biggest strength may have been his defense. On that end of the floor, Frazier was relentless and aggressive; using his quickness, hands and anticipation to sniff out passes and turn them into points for the Knicks. Frazier was named to seven consecutive All-Defensive First Team's for plays like when he stole the ball from Jerry West in the second quarter of game seven of the 1970 NBA Finals. Frazier finished that game with 36 points, 19 assists and five steals on his way to winning his first of two titles with the Knicks.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"It's not only that Clyde steals the ball, but that he makes them think he's about to steal it, and that he can steal it any time he wants to." - Bill Bradley</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Frazier was really the first complete package at the point guard position. He defended like Lenny, ran the fast break like Cousy, could grab rebounds, score and be versatile like Oscar, and he also was one of the first players to get a turnover, and then act like a one-man fast break.</p>
<p>Frazier was just as revolutionary off the court as he was on. He was one of the first players to sign a shoe deal, with Puma, and was known for his off-the-court style, swag and party habits just as well as he was known for his steals and scores on the court.</p>
<p><b>The Magic Man:</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"Magic is head-and-shoulders above everybody else. I've never seen [anybody] as good as him." - Larry Bird</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>All the previously mentioned point guards were great, but none of them can hold a candle to Magic Johnson. He's the greatest point guard of all-time, and along with Larry Bird, he helped save the NBA.</p>
<p>Through all of the trash talking, behind the back and bounce passes, three-point shots, double-digit rebound games and half-court alley-oops, Magic wore a smile on his face as big as the LA Forum itself.</p>
<p>But why was Magic the greatest? Why was he so special? Why was he one of a kind?</p>
<p>First of all, he was a winner; during his career Magic went to nine NBA Finals and won five titles to go along with three MVP awards.</p>
<p>Secondly, he was six-foot-nine playing the point guard position, and was really one of the first point guards who could defend and play multiple positions; even center. Still, for his large size, Magic could run the fast break as quick as a small guard like Cousy, dish out perfect passes and could contain other speedy guards on the defensive end.</p>
<p>When it came to making sure that the team got a high percentage shot on any given play, Magic had no peer. He would put himself or another player in a near perfect position to score.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"There have been times when he has thrown passes and I wasn't sure where he was going. Then one of our guys catches the ball and scores, and I run back up the floor convinced that he must've thrown it through somebody." - Michael Cooper</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Coming out of college, scouts said that Magic was slow and that he couldn't score. But he quickly proved them wrong as he sat in the driver's seat of Pat Riley's Showtime offense of the 80's. Johnson's up-tempo style of play, combined with flashy, yet perfect passes made for one of the most entertaining offenses in the history of the association and also made for some great battles with the Celtics, <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a>, <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bulls</a>, <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockets</a> and <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">76ers</a> throughout the decade.</p>
<p>Magic helped transcend the Lakers and because they were winning, and their best player was a point guard, this resulted in the NBA valuing the position higher. Isiah Thomas, Mo Cheeks, <span>Doc Rivers</span>, <span>Mark Jackson</span>, Fat Lever, John Stockon and others were all seen as either the stars or a very important piece of their team, and younger point guards like Mookie Blaylock, Tim Hardaway and <span>Gary Payton</span> started popping up and making a name for themselves in the 90's. Point guard was becoming the NBA's new glamour position.</p>
<p>One knock on Magic was his dribbling skills, but he made up for it everywhere else. Johnson could handle the ball very well, was intelligent, an excellent passer, could run the fast break alone or with his entire team and have every player touch the ball, played well under pressure, won in big moments, excelled in running a half-court offense and showed that, big guys can run the point too.</p>
<p>I could try and keep writing about Magic for days, but instead I'll let you witness how great he was:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/q8Qbo0WqvOI" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p>These players above were all the original guys, but as the league moved on from here, we as fans would see different versions or remixes of some of these players.</p>
<p>The most notable ones for what they brought to the game:</p>
<p><b>Zeke</b></p>
<p>The league was growing not just by the number in teams and fans in the 80's, but the actual players were getting bigger too. Still, at 6'1", Isiah Thomas showed that the little guy could still get the job done too.</p>
<p>Zeke was tough as nails, had a handle that would make you lose your shoes, and played defense that would make an opposing player lose his mind. His most important asset was his desire to win; he was going to do it by any means necessary and didn't care who stood in his way. He helped lead the Bad Boy Pistons to two titles, played a few games on one foot and one with stitches in his head.</p>
<p><b>The Glove</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"You can't back down on [Jordan]. If you do, he's like a wolf, he's going to eat everything. He knew I wasn't going to back down. I had to realize or see if he is really about being a dog, about this neighborhood stuff. I went at him. It was just me being me." - Gary Payton</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Gary Payton was the first (and the only) point guard to ever win the NBA's defensive player of the year award and earned the nickname "The Glove" for keeping opposing point guards firmly planted in the palm of his hand for the duration of a game. Payton is fourth all-time in steals and never backed down from anyone, even Michael Jordan.</p>
<p>If Payton knew something about your mom, sister, dad or knew that you just got a DUI or anything really, he'd use it to get into your head and then force you into making a mistake.</p>
<p>Not only was Payton one of the best trash talkers and defenders at his position, but he was also a leader, a scorer and a good passer during his time running the Seattle SuperSonics offense. When he wasn't stealing the ball or barking at an opposing player, he was swishing a three, throwing an alley-oop to Shawn Kemp, dishing it out to Detlef Schrempf in the corner or dunking the ball himself.</p>
<p><b>The UTEP Two-Step</b></p>
<p>Tim Hardway was a five-time all-star, the point guard of the RUN TMC show in Golden State, and partnered with <span>Alonzo Mourning</span> to lead those tough <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a> teams in the 90's.</p>
<p>Hardaway was a solid defender and could hit the three, but he's on this list because he was really one of the first players with a signature crossover move, The UTEP Two-Step. He'd use it to drive, to create space for a shot, to create space for teammates; everything. It was unstoppable and influenced other guards, like <span>Allen Iverson</span> and <span>Dwyane Wade</span>, to implement signature moves of their own.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iqe4M1DPoyc" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><b>The Prototypical Pass-First Point Guard</b></p>
<p>John Stockton wasn't the first "pass-first" point guard, but he might be the best.</p>
<p>Stockton was a 10-time all-star and accumulated the most assists in NBA history from his time in the league from 1984 to 2003. He was an awesome defender as well, holding down the number one spot in the record books for career steals, and a good three point shooter, but Stockton was best at passing and perfected the point guard's role in the pick and roll with hall of fame teammate Karl Malone.</p>
<p><b>The best now?</b></p>
<p>The debate is interesting. Sure, an argument could be made for Steve Nash, but the Laker is past his time and hasn't been healthy in some time. Some may say <span>Rajon Rondo</span> or Derrick Rose, but like Nash, they haven't been healthy either.</p>
<p>The cream of the current crop of point guards includes players of all shapes and sizes. The NBA today has speed demons like <span>John Wall</span>, scorers like <span>Damian Lillard</span>, Steph Curry and <span>Russell Westbrook</span>, dime droppers like <span>Ricky Rubio</span>, creative veteran leaders like <span>Tony Parker</span> and all-around versatile point guards like <span>Chris Paul</span>, who most would agree is the league's current best right now.</p>
<p>CP3 is a seven-time all-star and is already 29th all-time in career assists and third in assists-per-game with 9.9. Still, the Clipper is searching for an MVP award and his first title. Despite that, Paul comes ready to battle every night on both ends of the floor, is tough to defend and throws the prettiest alley-oop in the league right now.</p>
<p>Can Paul or one of these other current guards become the next to revolutionize the position or staple their name up next to the greats?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We'll have to wait and see. The 2014-15 NBA season is just about a week away.</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/10/21/7012843/evolution-of-point-guard-position-nbaMitchell Northam2014-10-16T08:00:02-07:002014-10-16T08:00:02-07:00Who is the NBA's best point guard?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/33PHDBDlR0b0o4HK-8O38wsCXTw=/0x370:2700x2170/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/41998214/486576545.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Thearon W. Henderson</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Who is the best point guard in the NBA right now? The Sonics Rising staff voted on all 30 starters and ranked them so you wouldn't have to.
</p>
<p><i>Edited by Chris Meirose</i></p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3608425/mustreads.css">
<p>Here at Sonics Rising over the past few weeks leading up to the 2014-15 NBA season we have ranked League Pass teams, court designs, coaches, benches, front offices and ranked players by position as well.</p>
<p>To cap off those preseason player rankings, I present to you: The Point Guards.</p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Player</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Highest Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Lowest Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Average Rank</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>30</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Raymond Felton</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>27</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>30</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>29.7</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>29</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Mario Chalmers</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>25</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>29</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>27.7</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>28</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Brandon Knight</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>20</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>30</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>25.9</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>27</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Jeremy Lin</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>22</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>29</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>25.8</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>26</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Victor Oladipo</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>23</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>27</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>25.5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>25</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Trey Burke</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>21</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>29</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>24.8</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>24</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Darren Collison</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>21</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>29</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>24.8</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>23</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Brandon Jennings</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>21</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>28</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>24.4</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>I'm not so sure that all of these guys will still be starting by Christmas. Are we sure that Knight, Oladipo and Jennings are point guards? I'm not totally convinced. I'm also not totally convinced that Lin, Felton and Burke are their respective team's best options at the position. This collection of names makes me nauseous; let's move on.</p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="599">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="165" valign="top">
<p>Player</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Highest Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Lowest Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Average Rank</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>22</p>
</td>
<td width="165" valign="top">
<p><span>Jose Calderon</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>17</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>25</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>20.8</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>21</p>
</td>
<td width="165" valign="top">
<p><span>Michael Carter-Williams</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>18</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>24</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>20.6</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>20</p>
</td>
<td width="165" valign="top">
<p>Patrick Beverly</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>14</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>29</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>20.6</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>19</p>
</td>
<td width="165" valign="top">
<p><span>George Hill</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>15</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>23</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>19.5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>18</p>
</td>
<td width="165" valign="top">
<p><span>Ricky Rubio</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>13</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>23</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>17.8</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>17</p>
</td>
<td width="165" valign="top">
<p><span>Jeff Teague</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>14</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>19</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>17.4</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>16</p>
</td>
<td width="165" valign="top">
<p><span>Deron Williams</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>10</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>26</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>17</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="51" valign="top">
<p>15</p>
</td>
<td width="165" valign="top">
<p><span>Kemba Walker</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>14</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>19</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>16.3</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>A little more consistency in this tier. These guys are all starters and excel in at least one aspect of the game. Calderon and Rubio are great passers, MCW is long and rebounds and defends well for his position, while Beverly is the on-court equivalent to opposing guards of a gnat at a backyard cookout; the one that just bugs the hell out of you and you can't kill it and you eventually smack a plate out of someone's hand trying to kill it. Also, it looks like someone still think Deron Williams is a top 10 point guard, perhaps he can regain his spot among the greatest this season, but for now, Kemba Walker and these next guys rank ahead of him.</p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Player</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Highest Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Lowest Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Average Rank</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>14</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Jrue Holliday</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>12</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>16</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>14.2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>13</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Ty Lawson</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>11</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>16</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>13.3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>12</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Kyle Lowry</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>11</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>14</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>12.7</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>11</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Mike Conley</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>9</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>22</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>11.6</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>10</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Goran Dragic</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>6</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>12</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>9.8</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>9</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Tony Parker</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>13</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>8.1</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Each of these point guards would start on a playoff team, and each of them continue to get better each year while the elder statesmen of the tier, Tony Parker, continues to play at a high level. <span>Kyle Lowry</span> and Goran Dragic took big leaps last year, perhaps this year we'll see Holliday and Lawson do the same.</p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Player</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Highest Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Lowest Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Average Rank</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>8</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Derrick Rose</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>9</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>7.1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>7</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Rajon Rondo</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>8</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>6.6</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>A few seasons ago, these players were in the top five among all of the point guards in the league. A few injuries later, some people think that they have fallen off. We saw glimpses of Rondo's magic last season in the 30 games that he played, and Rose showed that he still has his elite athleticism over the summer at the FIBA games. For the sake of great basketball, let's hope that these players return to their All-Star 2011 versions of themselves.</p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Player</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Highest Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Lowest Rank</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Average Rank</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>6</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Kyrie Irving</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>10</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>6</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>Russell Westbrook</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>11</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>5.4</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>John Wall</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>8</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>4.6</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Damian Lillard</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>8</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>4.4</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p><span>Stephen Curry</span></p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td width="128" valign="top">
<p>2.8</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>These are the point guards we'll get to potentially watch grow into superstars over the next few years. Except for Irving, these floor generals have all helped lead their teams to a playoff appearance, and with the help of <span>LeBron James</span> and <span>Kevin Love</span>, Irving has the chance to match his peers this season. These are also the five guys with the best chances of dethroning our unanimous number one point guard over the next few seasons.</p>
<p><b><span>Chris Paul</span>, <i>unanimous number one selection</i></b></p>
<p>Here's a mix someone made of CP3 ripping up the NBA for the past 9 seasons:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UK7ElFo_lIc" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><i>Just 12 more days...</i></p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/10/16/6986907/ranking-nba-30-starting-point-guardsMitchell Northam2014-10-08T08:00:02-07:002014-10-08T08:00:02-07:00Who Has The Best Bench?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/42JVBskO_yFZYKgRpuJR9s9RXRs=/0x139:4000x2806/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/41243438/20140612_ajl_sd2_146.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Our NBA rankings continues. Who has the best 6th, 7th, 8th and beyond men in the NBA?</p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3608425/mustreads.css">
<p>Behind every great starting five is <strike>always</strike> <strike>usually</strike> <strike>probably</strike> sometimes a great bench.</p>
<p>Through the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat's</a> recent run of championships they built their roster with a starting five surrounded by three superstars and then built their bench with aging players with just enough left in the tank like <span>Ray Allen</span>, Udonis Haslem, <span>Rashard Lewis</span>, <span>Shane Battier</span> and others.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> on the other hand have always been able to find players and put them in the perfect roles, allowing them to exceed and go beyond what they were able to do as bench players on other squads. Their most recent championship team was backed up by manuthe likes of <span>Patty Mills</span>, <span>Matt Bonner</span>, <span>Marco Belinelli</span> and others including one of the greatest sixth men of all time; Manu Ginobili.</p>
<p>So usually, a great starting five and a great bench can carry a team a long way. Or it can probably carry them a long way. Or sometimes it can carry them a long way.</p>
<p>Anyways, 10 writers and editors from our staff here voted and ranked the NBA's best benches coming into the 2014-15 season.</p>
<h3><span>Tier 5</span></h3>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>30</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">27</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">30</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">29.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">24</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">30</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">28.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>28</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">25</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">29</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">27.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">21</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">30</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">26.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>26</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">17</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">29</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">24.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">10</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">28</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">24.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">20</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">25</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">23.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">20</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">27</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">22.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">16</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">26</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">21.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">18</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">26</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">20.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">12</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">25</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">20.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">16</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">21</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">19.3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Most of these teams have awful benches and most of these teams will miss the playoffs. But the ones likely to make it in to the playoffs out of tier five are projected so because of their superstars in the starting five. It's unfathomable to think that a starting five including Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka will miss the playoffs, but heading into round one you'll see plenty of columns, blog posts, articles and hot takes outlining the Thunder's biggest flaw; their bench. The Rockets, with Dwight Howard and James Harden fall in the same boat, as do the Miami Heat with Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng. With a new coach and a new system, Carmelo Anthony has a chance to do the same with his roster full of gunners. Kobe Bryant's playoff hopes? I don't know, can he and <span>Steve Nash</span> stay healthy and not kill Swaggy P?</p>
<h3>Tier 4</h3>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">11</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">20</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">16.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">12</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">24</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">16.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">11</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">23</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">16.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">22</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">15.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">12</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">22</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">15.3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>This is the tier that, we don't know how they will look. The Indiana Pacers brought in Chris Singleton, C.J. Miles and Rodney Stuckey, but with the departure of <span>Lance Stephenson</span> and the injury to Paul George, those guys could be starting, and their bench minutes could be filled by the likes of Lavoy Allen and C.J. Fair. Meanwhile, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a> signed Isiah Thomas, but between he and projected starting guards Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe, there may not be enough minutes to keep everyone happy. Not to mention, they lost <span>Channing Frye</span> to the Magic, who created a lot of points off of pick and pops from the bench. Frye's presence on the floor alone as a stretch five created spacing for the high-flying Suns, and I'm not buying Anthony Tolliver as a realistic replacement. The Hawks picked up <span>Kent Bazemore</span> and <span>Thabo Sefolosha</span> in free agency, and drafted Adrien Payne, but their bench wasn't anything to write home about last season and those names added in the off-season don't exactly leap off the screen. For the Hornets, it's hard to tell how good this bench will be because it's so young. For the Pistons, well, anything can happen.</p>
<h3>Tier 3</h3>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">12</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">15</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">13.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">9</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">19</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">12.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">8</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">19</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">11.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">8</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">14</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">10.5</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Tier three is certainly better than tier four, but I'm not sure we really know how good these benches are either. On paper, the Golden State Warriors have a good bench, but last year a big flaw of <span>Mark Jackson</span> was that he wasn't creative with the lineups and did a poor job of mixing starters and reserves. We'll see how Steve Kerr does with that. Meanwhile, the Nets are a year older, but with a healthy <span>Brook Lopez</span> that means that <span>Mason Plumlee</span> is likely returning to a reserve role, giving them some young depth in the big man department. Toronto had a solid bench last season led by <span>Greivis Vasquez</span> and should be better in year two of the new era Raptors as they go after another playoff spot.</p>
<h3>Tier 2</h3>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">17</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">8.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">15</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">7.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">9</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">7.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">18</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">6.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">13</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">6.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">5.6</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>LeBron James came back to Cleveland this past summer and with him he brought a handful of role players like Mike Miller and Shawn Marion. Derrick Rose's return from injury in Chicago also came with some added depth on the bench as they drafted <span>Doug McDermott</span>, retained <span>Taj Gibson</span> and brought <span>Nikola Mirotic</span> over to the states. The Mavericks were able to improve their depth by adding a few veterans in <span>Richard Jefferson</span>, <span>Jameer Nelson</span>, <span>Al-Farouq Aminu</span> and others to fill out their roster, while the Wizards picked up a former Maverick, DeJuan Blair, along with the addition of Kris Humphries and Damion James to a bench that didn't lose many pieces as the 'Zards held on to the likes of Kevin Seraphin, Drew Gooden, Otto Porter and Martell Webster.</p>
<p>Perhaps the team that made the biggest strides in adding depth were the Clippers. Last season they might as well have had no one behind DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin on the depth chart, but this summer they added versatile bench bigs in Spencer Hawes and Ekpe Udoh along with adding a swingman in Chris Douglas-Roberts and a back-up point guard in Jordan Farmar.</p>
<p>I'm still not sure how the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Trail Blazers</a> made it up this far though. Sure, they added Steve Blake and Chris Kaman and held on to guys like Thomas Robinson, C.J. McCollum and Dorell Wright, but should an injury happen to one of the Blazers' starting five, their season could get ugly very quickly.</p>
<h3>Tier 1</h3>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">3.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The Denver Nuggets have a very deep and large roster, the problem is, I don't know who is starting or coming off the bench. For this exercise, we'll say that their starting five is Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo, Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried and JaVale McGee. Which means Head Coach Brian Shaw gets to pick from a crop of Nate Robinson, Gary Harris, J.J. Hickson, Danilo Gallinari, Randy Foye and others for his final seven players on the bench. If Shaw can get creative with minutes management and lineups then the Nuggets could do really well this year and have a high powered second unit.</p>
<p>The Grizzlies are a year older and last year an achilles' heel of theirs was three-point shooting and bench play. To improve that, Memphis went out and picked up <span>Michael Beasley</span>, <span>Jordan Adams</span>, <span>Jarnell Stokes</span>, <span>Luke Hancock</span>, <span>Earl Clark</span> and the big sixth man fish; Sergeant Vincent Lamar Carter Jr.</p>
<p>Last season with the Mavericks, <span>Vince Carter</span> averaged... well, here's his per-36 minutes numbers from last season:</p>
<table width="654" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="44">
<p>Season</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>Age</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>Tm</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>Lg</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="21">
<p>Pos</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="19">
<p>G</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="20">
<p>GS</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="24">
<p>MP</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="20">
<p>FG</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>FGA</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>FG%</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="20">
<p>3P</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>3PA</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>3P%</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="20">
<p>2P</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>2PA</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>2P%</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="20">
<p>FT</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>FTA</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>FT%</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>ORB</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>DRB</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>TRB</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>AST</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="21">
<p>STL</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="21">
<p>BLK</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>TOV</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="20">
<p>PF</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>PTS</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="44">
<p>2013-14</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>37</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>DAL</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>NBA</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="21">
<p>SG</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="19">
<p>81</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="20">
<p>0</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="24">
<p>1973</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="20">
<p>6.0</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>14.8</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>.407</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="20">
<p>2.7</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>6.8</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>.394</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="20">
<p>3.4</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>8.0</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>.418</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="20">
<p>2.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>3.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>.821</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>1.2</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>4.0</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>5.2</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="22">
<p>3.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="21">
<p>1.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="21">
<p>0.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>2.0</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="20">
<p>3.8</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23">
<p>17.6</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Not bad for a 37-year old Vinsanity.</p>
<p><b>THE SPURS</b></p>
<p>I talked about them a bit up top, but they deserve to be addressed again. Year in and year out, the Spurs front office does a great job of bringing in guys that want to play for Greg Popovich and then Pop does a great job of putting those players in roles that they succeed in and he's been doing it for years. In the Spurs most recent run of successes those guys have been Manu, Belinelli, Bonner, Mills, <span>Danny Green</span> and Boris Diaw. Outside of Bonner, each of those guys had a game in the playoffs where they just blew up the stat sheet coming off the bench and helped the Spurs win a game, or multiple games. The Spurs’ bench finished the regular season in 2014 first in scoring per game (44.5 ppg), field-goal percentage (47.8) and assists (10.9) while also finishing second in rebounds (16.8) and 3-point percentage (39.1), and then finished third in steals (3.3). They're almost too good for stats to measure, but you all watched the Finals last year, right?</p>
<p>And the same bench core is back for another ride with Pop, <span>Tim Duncan</span> and Tony Parker. Oh, and they drafted <span>Kyle Anderson</span>, who did some pretty awesome things at UCLA last season and at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhahjgWyeTQ" target="_blank">Summer League</a>.</p>
<div class="fb-like" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/SonicsRising" data-layout="standard" data-action="like" data-show-faces="true" data-share="true"></div>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/10/8/6922155/best-bench-nbaMitchell Northam2014-09-29T06:00:02-07:002014-09-29T06:00:02-07:00The 2014 NBA League Pass Rankings
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Z3HnbeKWnOQZ3bzFGn9oKFm2qjQ=/0x120:4000x2787/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/40318954/488111149.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Stephen Dunn</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Buying League Pass this year? You'll want to read this first. The unofficial 2014 NBA watchability rankings. </p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3608425/mustreads.css">
<p>Welcome to the 2014 League Pass Rankings. Unlike my 2013 version, this is just one post as opposed to three parts. And this time, it's not just my opinion, we voted. Yay Democracy at Sonics Rising!</p>
<p>Participating in this poll was Kevin Nesgoda, Taylor Bartle, Chris Meirose, Dontae Delgado, Mike Baker, Joanna Nesgoda, Matt Tucker and myself.</p>
<p>I can't speak for the others, but when evaluating each team I took into account: style of play, court design, broadcasting crew, jerseys and individual player performances.</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>30</td>
<td>
<a href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467111/sixers_logo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Sixers_logo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467111/sixers_logo_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1411842028144">
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">28</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">30</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">29.5</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Instead of watching this team, just follow Joel Embiid <a href="https://twitter.com/JoelEmbiid/status/511957439630278656" target="_blank">on Twitter.</a></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467031/bucks_logo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Bucks_logo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467031/bucks_logo_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1411842132555">
</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>
<div>25.8</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>The </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Bucks</a><span> will likely be really bad and hard to watch, but anytime new head coach </span><span>Jason Kidd</span><span> puts </span><span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span><span> in at point guard you should be watching. Is there anyway we can set up a text message alert for this? I don't want to watch the Bucks all the time, but I definitely want to see G-Po dropping dimes off to </span><span>Jabari Parker</span><span>.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>28</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466983/pistons_logo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Pistons_logo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466983/pistons_logo_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1411842395861">
</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>
<div>24.6</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>I can't wait to see </span><span>Stan Van Gundy</span><span> return to the sidelines, other than that, meh.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466935/knicks_logo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Knicks_logo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466935/knicks_logo_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1411842642896">
</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>
<div>24.4</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Carmelo Anthony</span><span> is awesome, but you're really only watching this team because you had a bad day and need a good laugh.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>26</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467055/lakers_logo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Lakers_logo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467055/lakers_logo_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1411843151898">
</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>
<div>24.4</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>If </span><span>Kobe Bryant</span><span> is healthy, I'm really excited for his death stares towards </span><span>Byron Scott</span><span> and Nick Young. If Kobe Bryant isn't healthy, I'm really excited for his death stares towards Byron Scott and Nick Young. Also, can we set up text message alerts for Nick Young too? Something like "LAKERS: SWAGGY P IS DOING SWAGGY P THINGS."</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467063/celtics_logo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Celtics_logo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467063/celtics_logo_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1411844492832">
</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>
<div>23.8</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Brad Stevens</span><span> is in year two and Rajon Rondo enters the season healthy. The jerseys are classic, the court design is solid and the broadcasting crew is fun, but this team is still pretty bad.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467015/hawks_logo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Hawks_logo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467015/hawks_logo_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1411844643453">
</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>
<div>23.6</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>There isn't anything to appealing about this team that makes you want to watch them every night. They lack a star, the uniforms aren't great, the crowd isn't great, but hey, this team found ways to win and sneak into the playoffs last year. They'll be tough again.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466901/nets.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Nets_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466901/nets_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1411844760077">
</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>
<div>22.6</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>The </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Nets</a><span> have a cool court design, sharp jerseys and will have a solid team this year, but we'll really just watch the Nets for the interactions between Kevin Garnett and head deacon Lionel Hollins. Also, be on the lookout for a wild Plumdog.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466557/pacers_logo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Pacers_logo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466557/pacers_logo_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1411847054253">
</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>
<div><br></div>
<div>22.3</div>
<div><br></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Without Paul George and Lance Stephenson, this team suddenly gets really boring. Have fun watching an offense ran through David West and George Hill.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466661/grizzlies_logo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Grizzlies_logo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466661/grizzlies_logo_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1411847191764">
</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>
<div>22.1</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>I like watching the </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Grizzlies</a><span>, they were one of my five league pass picks last year, but this team is a year older, a year slower and don't have any players that really make you say, "I HAVE TO WATCH (PLAYER X) PLAY TONIGHT!" Be honest. You're not saying that about </span><span>Zach Randolph</span><span> or </span><span>Marc Gasol</span><span> or even Mike Conley. The Grizzlies will be tough again, but they'll be boring to the average fan again too with the grit-grind style of play. Now, </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-StMfE8NrA" target="_blank" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">watch this</a><span>, and </span><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCoQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fextra-mustard%2F2013%2F05%2F13%2Fgrizzlies-fans-go-ballistic-when-whoop-that-trick-plays-at-the-grindhouse&ei=zhQnVKiGDI61yAT5qIH4DA&usg=AFQjCNHKlfC4qpGcRtla0JhGUh_A-0Y9uQ&sig2=yuXio2EHOEzeJa3DLAM9Eg&bvm=bv.76247554,d.aWw" target="_blank" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">then this</a><span> and celebrate another year of The Whoop That Trick All-Stars, the Memphis Grizzlies.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467073/jazz_logo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Jazz_logo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467073/jazz_logo_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1411847697329">
</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>
<div>21.5</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Derrick Favors</span><span> set career-highs last season, they brought back </span><span>Gordon Hayward</span><span> (HEAT-CHECK GUY ALERT), drafted </span><span>Dante Exum</span><span> and got a new coach. Still, I voted them last while Kevin and Taylor pegged them at 17. I'll let them explain further in the comments why you should watch the </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Jazz</a><span> this year. I say don't. Set up that fake-text alert thing for Hayward heat-checks and awesome Exum things.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467047/magic_logo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Magic_logo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467047/magic_logo_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1411847961432">
</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>
<div>19.9</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Nice looking jerseys, a solid court and play-by-play man David Steele is one of the best, so you'll hear him on the local feeds for League Pass. The actual game play from the </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Magic</a><span> should be better too. </span><span>Victor Oladipo</span><span> is in year two, they added </span><span>Channing Frye</span><span> and others via free agency, drafted </span><span>Elfrid Payton</span><span> and </span><span>Aaron Gordon</span><span>, and a young core including </span><span>Tobias Harris</span><span>, </span><span>Nikola Vucevic</span><span> and Maurice Harkless returns. This team will still lose a large chunk of games, but they should be fun to watch as a fast-paced, up-and-down the court type of team.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466549/heat_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466549/heat_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Heat_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411864766603">
</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>
<div>18.6</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>The </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Miami Heat</a><span> lost LeBron James and replaced him with Josh McRoberts, Danny Granger and Luol Deng. Dwayne Wade is hoping to play in 75 games and Chris Bosh is suddenly the best player on the roster. This team could be fun to watch, or they could be really hard to watch. Who knows. You're really just watching for the Bosh photo bombs during the post-game interviews.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467039/kings_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467039/kings_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Kings_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411865143853">
</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>
<div><br></div>
<div>18.4</div>
<div><br></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>BOOGIE! Oh, and Rudy Gay and Nik Stauskas. The </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Kings</a><span> should be better in year two of the Mike Malone era, but you're watching the Kings BECAUSE BOOGIE.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/5060132/site_hornets_header5_0.png"><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/5060132/site_hornets_header5_0_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Site_hornets_header5_0_medium"></a> <br id="1411865387680">
</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>
<div>18</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>New awesome uniforms, a new awesome court design and a new awesome Lance Stephenson. Maybe </span><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FLAmP5yTmw" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Lance will rap</a><span> at halftime with PA announcer Big Pat doubling as his DJ.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467023/raptors_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467023/raptors_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Raptors_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411865733986">
</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>
<div>13.3</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Kevin and I will be watching the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Raptors</a> because of GREIVIS VASQUEZ, but you should also watch the Raptors because they feature an awesome starting back-court pair of <span>Kyle Lowry</span> and DeMar DeRozan, Masai Ujiri might curse someone out, they have an awesome court and, oh, hey, there's Drake on the sidelines.</p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466653/spurs_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466653/spurs_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Spurs_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411865934445">
</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>
<div>13</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Someone says it every year, but this really might be Tim Duncan's last run with Greg Popovich, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Even if it's not, the </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Spurs</a><span> win a lot and play near mistake-free fundamental basketball. If your're looking for dunks and highlights, this isn't the team for you; but if you like lots of screens and corner threes, join the party.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466669/okc-thunder-logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466669/okc-thunder-logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Okc-thunder-logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411866108585">
</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>
<div>12</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Kevin Durant</span><span>, </span><span>Russell Westbrook</span><span>, </span><span>Serge Ibaka</span><span>, I mean, what's not to like about the </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Oklahoma City Thunder</a><span>? Oh, </span><span>Scott Brooks</span><span> is still coaching? Oh, </span><span>Kendrick Perkins</span><span> is still starting? The court is still ugly? Yup. Yup. Yup. But hey! You can catch former Sonic Michael Cage on the call this year for the Thunder.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466677/rockets_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466677/rockets_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Rockets_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411866279785">
</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>
<div>11.8</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>If the </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Knicks</a><span> are unavailable, you can always tune into the </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Rockets</a><span> and laugh at how bad James Harden is at defense. The difference is, Houston actually has a good team and wins games as opposed to the Knickerbockers.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466951/nuggets_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466951/nuggets_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Nuggets_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411866473869">
</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>
<div>11.5</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Kenneth Faried had a breakout performance at the FIBA World Cup. I'm watching the </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Nuggets</a><span> to see if that continues, but a roster that also includes Ty Lawson, Gary Harris, JaVale McGee, J.J. Hickson and Nate Robinson sounds pretty entertaining too. Denver's court and uniforms are easy on the eyes and their announcing crew are easy on the ears too.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466967/wizards_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466967/wizards_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Wizards_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411866730597">
</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>
<div>11.1</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>The </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Wizards</a><span> are coming off of their first playoff appearance of the John Wall era, while Wall is coming off of his first all-star appearance. Bradley Beal is a year older, Marcin Gortat is back to share a front-court with Nene and the Wizards added Paul Pierce in the off-season. Steve Buckhantz and Phil Chenier are on the call again for the 'Zards, which is a great thing. If you like speedy point guards, spot-up threes from your small forward and big Polish centers, then this is the team for you.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466991/mavericks_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466991/mavericks_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Mavericks_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411867124547">
</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>
<div>11</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Dirk Nowitzki, awesome uniforms and MONTA BALL.</p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467007/pelicans_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467007/pelicans_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Pelicans_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411867243870">
</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>
<div>8.8</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Anthony Davis. Do I need to say more?</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466959/timberwolves_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466959/timberwolves_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Timberwolves_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411867316636">
</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>
<div>8.1</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>The </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Minnesota Timberwolves</a><span> brass swapped out Kevin Love for a new set of toys for Ricky Rubio this off-season (that's one way to put it, I suppose). Rubio has the keys to an offense that includes number one overall pick </span><span>Andrew Wiggins</span><span>, Zach LaVine, </span><span>Anthony Bennett</span><span> and a bulldozer at center, Nikola Pekovic. Outside of Pek, this team is young, quick and should make for some very entertaining basketball.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467089/suns_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3467089/suns_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Suns_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411867724223">
</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>
<div>6.4</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;">Eric Bledsoe is back and healthy. And joining him in the back-court are Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas. This team was really fun to watch last season and I think they will be again this year. <span>Jeff Hornacek</span> seems like a good coach that put everyone in the right positions to excel last season, and he'll have them running, again. My only quibble with watching the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a> is that their home court might be the worst in the league. It looks like they redesigned it for a Halloween promo and never switched it back.</p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466597/bulls_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466597/bulls_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Bulls_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411868106757">
</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>
<div>6</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Derrick Rose is back! ... for now. The </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Bulls</a><span> also added Pau Gasol in the off-season, drafted Doug McDermott, convinced Nikola Mirotic to come over and got rid of Carlos Boozer. Add in a a solid broadcast team, classic uniforms, a good court design and </span><span>Tom Thibodeau</span><span> on the sidelines and you have yourself a prime League Pass candidate.</span></p>
<table style="text-align: center;" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466999/trailblazers_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466999/trailblazers_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Trailblazers_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411868362001">
</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>
<div style="text-align: center;">5</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Great court, great fans, great uniforms and a solid team on the court once again. If Damian Lillard continues to play in F-YOU mode and LaMarcus Aldridge continues to be one of the best bigs in the league this team will not only be really fun to watch, but they'll compete for one of the top spots in the western conference playoff race too.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466943/cavaliers.gif"><img src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466943/cavaliers_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Cavaliers_medium"></a> <br id="1411868379733">
</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>
<div>3.8</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>LeBron James, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving. You get to watch these three play together for 82 days a year while Austin Carr talks about them. That's why you're signing up for the </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">Cavaliers</a><span> on League Pass.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466605/clippers_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466605/clippers_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Clippers_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411868392436">
</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>
<div>2.3</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>They have a new owner, but this is still Lob City. So while Chris Paul is throwing oops to Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, we can expect Mark Cuban-esque sideline antics from new owner Steve Ballmer. Seriously, while you're </span><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTkN2q6sUUk" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">watching this</a><span>, Ballmer might be </span><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U10FUI7W78#t=23" style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff;">doing this</a><span> on the sidelines.</span></p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rank</td>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Highest Rank</td>
<td>Lowest Rank</td>
<td>Average Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466909/warriors_logo.gif"><img src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/3466909/warriors_logo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Warriors_logo_medium"></a> <br id="1411868414449">
</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>
<div>1.8</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>As long as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a> have the number one heat-check guy in the league on their roster, Stephen Curry, then they'll be number one in league pass rankings. He is the number one overall leader in getting a text from your buddy that says "TURN THE CHANNEL TO THE (BLANK) GAME! (BLANK) IS GOING OFF!"</p>
<p>Mix in fellow splash-brother Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodola and David Lee and the on-court product looks very appealing, again. You'll also want to watch to see how new head coach Steve Kerr does with this roster.</p>
<p>The court is awesome, and watching Curry jog up to that blue three-point arc to fire a shot is one of the best scenes in the NBA. The Warriors have one of the best home crowds, great looking uniforms, a solid broadcast crew. If you're looking for a reason to get League Pass this year, get it to watch the Warriors.</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/9/29/6842497/ranking-nba-team-league-pass-watchability-2014Mitchell Northam2014-09-17T16:01:37-07:002014-09-17T16:01:37-07:00OKC hires Michael Cage
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UmnoZWsesCiAueDAolFYF0onynk=/0x0:545x363/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/38774148/Michael_Cage.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>The Windex Man heads to OKC to work on television. </p> <p>Since retiring from professional basketball in 2000, Michael Cage has tried to stay involved with the game as much as possible.</p>
<p>He has worked as both a broadcaster and a coach; spending time as TV analyst for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a>, FOX Sports West, Prime Ticket and Westwood One radio, while most recently coaching Mater Dei High School in Los Angeles to back-to-back state titles in 2013-14. He also served as a guest coach for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> at the 2013 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.</p>
<p>After a short stint in coaching though, Cage has returned to his career as a broadcaster, this time landing a job as a color analyst for a team that hits a little too close to home for many Sonics' fans; the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>.</p>
<p>From the Thunder's <a href="http://www.nba.com/thunder/news/release_cage_140917" target="_blank">official press release:</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"We are very excited and proud to have Michael Cage become part of the Thunder broadcast team," said Dan Mahoney, Thunder vice president of Corporate Communications. "Michael brings experience, energy, knowledge and passion for the game. We think our fans will enjoy his perspective and knowledge gained by playing more than 1,000 games in the NBA."</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Cage was drafted in the first round with the 14th overall pick of the 1984 NBA Draft by the San Diego <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a>. After spending four years as a Clipper, Cage was traded to the Supersonics for Gary Grant and a draft pick that turned out to be Kenny Payne, and, as a Sonic, Cage would have some his best years as a professional.</p>
<p>The Windex Man, as he was dubbed by then Sonics' broadcaster Kevin Calabro, averaged 7.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and a steal per-game during his six seasons in the Emerald City and only missed two regular season games while helping the Sonics reach the playoffs five times. After leaving the Sonics, Cage went on to play for the Cavaliers, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">76ers</a> before retiring in 2000 and spending time as a coach and broadcaster while also working with his foundation that mentors young athletes.</p>
<p>Cage was quoted in the statement from the Thunder saying:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"Thank you to the Oklahoma City Thunder for giving me such a wonderful opportunity to join the franchise. I'm looking forward to working with an already terrific broadcast team," Cage said. "I've been involved in basketball, sports broadcasting and charity work for over 40 years and I look forward to getting to know the passionate Thunder fans in Oklahoma! My family and I are excited and feel very blessed."</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Cage will work alongside Brian Davis, who will begin his seventh season as the TV voice of the Thunder on FOX Sports Oklahoma. He will replace Grant Long, who resigned over the summer after reports of financial misconduct surfaced.</p>
<p>While it may sadden some Sonics fans to see Cage sit on the sidelines in OKC while wearing a headset and collecting paychecks from a team who's owner stole the Soncis away, Seattle should be happy for a player who gave the team his all during his playing days in the green and gold and be thankful that he is able to still be a part of the NBA.</p>
<p>Maybe the Sonics can draft <a href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/syracuse/basketball/recruiting/player-M.J.-Cage-152092" target="_blank">his son</a> in a few years.</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/9/17/6357123/oklahoma-city-thunder-okc-michael-cage-sonics-seattleMitchell Northam