Post by Akomplice on Aug 28, 2010 16:42:20 GMT -5
The first overall pick Elton Brand enjoyed a nice jump in ratings for the Atlanta Hawks. Elton Brand improved his inside scoring and defense, looking pretty sexy for a rookie. With only Jason Terry on the roster, there is a chance that the Hawks could be looking at another first overall selection in this draft.
The second overall pick Lamar Odom made quite the impressive jump, improving his inside scoring, outside, handles and defense. Also on the Wolves, foreign prospect AK-47 improved his outside shot, defense and rebounding. With Kevin Garnett and Stephen Jackson also on the team, the Wolves look to have one of the bright futures in this league. When AK joins the team next year, that light will shine even brighter.
The Houston Rockets might be led by Hakeem and Pippen who are on a slow decline, but don't let them hear the whispers about the hype of Stromile Swift. Swift came in and worked hard in the offseason with the Dream, and his inside scoring improved and all of a sudden looks to be an excellent defender. Having the older guys around Swift has kept him focused and his overall game play looks like spiked. Swift's biggest knock was always his focus so the Rockets hope that Hakeem and Pippen stick around for a while.
In what might be one of the better late draft picks in the draft this year was the Indiana Pacers pick of DerMarr Johnson. Johnson came into the league as a long lanky player, but after the camp he seemed to have honed his skills. He improved his inside, now has a reliable outside shot and improved his defense. Smits and Reggie might still be in Indiana, but with Bibby, Johnson, Redd and O'Neal the team is nicely piecing together the future of the team.
It's hard to talk about improvements without mentioning the Grizzlies who had the biggest shock of the league. Jason Kidd looks ready to take over the league with his last training camp. He improved his inside scoring, is now a sharp shooter from beyond the arc, now has the slickest handles in the league and still plays impressive defense. It's no surprise that with Kidd, rookie Hamilton improved his offensive game. Alonzo and SAR remained the same and Shawn Marion continued to improve his all around game. The Grizz should be one of the favorites to win it all this year.
Looking at some teams that are poised for a rebuild we find ourselves looking at the New York Knicks. After signing his blockbuster contract, Jerry Stackhouse has done nothing to improve his game. He actually forgot how to drive the ball this offseason, instead he was focused on making it rain in the club. The Knicks are led by crazy Spreewell, Mo Taylor who is only focused on scoring and Mr Make it Rain himself. The Knicks look ready to destroy and rebuild.
Another team that looks ready to tear it down is the Blazers. After losing their number one player in free agency, the Blazers weren't able to bring in much help. The Blazers are led by old Sabonis, Brandon and Rose. Marcus Camby still plays excellent defense, but don't seem to be improving. Jalen Rose was away at school this offseason earning his communications degree. With the power house Kings and Lakers still in the division, this is the time for the Blazers to rebuild.
In one of the most interesting put together teams in the league, the Mavericks seem to be doing OK. Just imagining a front court of Duncan and Kemp is tempting, it has to be the definition of Fire and Ice. Duncan remained the same at center which is great for the Mavericks. Kemp actually was capable of learning how to box out instead of jumping for the ball. In the back court you have the streetball crew in Jason Williams and DA. Williams continues to show his flare on the court, but those TO's might be soaring. DA actually now favors the fancy dunk over sound defense. Somewhere in the middle is Al Harrington who improved his defense and scoring.
One of the most bizzare playoff champions of all time, the Spurs had an interesting training camp. Steve Nash improved his defense and handling. Cuttino Mobley and Tracy McGrady stayed the same along with Adonal Foyle. On paper it's still shocking to me that they won it all, can they have another improbable run in them this year?
Our last stop finds us in the mountains of Denver with the Nuggets. Our reason for being here is none other than Chauncey Billups who finally found his place in the league. Billups improved his inside scoring, outside shooting, handles and defense. With a team that includes McDyess, Lafrentz, Fortson he certainly has the team to lead and make an impact in the playoffs.
The second overall pick Lamar Odom made quite the impressive jump, improving his inside scoring, outside, handles and defense. Also on the Wolves, foreign prospect AK-47 improved his outside shot, defense and rebounding. With Kevin Garnett and Stephen Jackson also on the team, the Wolves look to have one of the bright futures in this league. When AK joins the team next year, that light will shine even brighter.
The Houston Rockets might be led by Hakeem and Pippen who are on a slow decline, but don't let them hear the whispers about the hype of Stromile Swift. Swift came in and worked hard in the offseason with the Dream, and his inside scoring improved and all of a sudden looks to be an excellent defender. Having the older guys around Swift has kept him focused and his overall game play looks like spiked. Swift's biggest knock was always his focus so the Rockets hope that Hakeem and Pippen stick around for a while.
In what might be one of the better late draft picks in the draft this year was the Indiana Pacers pick of DerMarr Johnson. Johnson came into the league as a long lanky player, but after the camp he seemed to have honed his skills. He improved his inside, now has a reliable outside shot and improved his defense. Smits and Reggie might still be in Indiana, but with Bibby, Johnson, Redd and O'Neal the team is nicely piecing together the future of the team.
It's hard to talk about improvements without mentioning the Grizzlies who had the biggest shock of the league. Jason Kidd looks ready to take over the league with his last training camp. He improved his inside scoring, is now a sharp shooter from beyond the arc, now has the slickest handles in the league and still plays impressive defense. It's no surprise that with Kidd, rookie Hamilton improved his offensive game. Alonzo and SAR remained the same and Shawn Marion continued to improve his all around game. The Grizz should be one of the favorites to win it all this year.
Looking at some teams that are poised for a rebuild we find ourselves looking at the New York Knicks. After signing his blockbuster contract, Jerry Stackhouse has done nothing to improve his game. He actually forgot how to drive the ball this offseason, instead he was focused on making it rain in the club. The Knicks are led by crazy Spreewell, Mo Taylor who is only focused on scoring and Mr Make it Rain himself. The Knicks look ready to destroy and rebuild.
Another team that looks ready to tear it down is the Blazers. After losing their number one player in free agency, the Blazers weren't able to bring in much help. The Blazers are led by old Sabonis, Brandon and Rose. Marcus Camby still plays excellent defense, but don't seem to be improving. Jalen Rose was away at school this offseason earning his communications degree. With the power house Kings and Lakers still in the division, this is the time for the Blazers to rebuild.
In one of the most interesting put together teams in the league, the Mavericks seem to be doing OK. Just imagining a front court of Duncan and Kemp is tempting, it has to be the definition of Fire and Ice. Duncan remained the same at center which is great for the Mavericks. Kemp actually was capable of learning how to box out instead of jumping for the ball. In the back court you have the streetball crew in Jason Williams and DA. Williams continues to show his flare on the court, but those TO's might be soaring. DA actually now favors the fancy dunk over sound defense. Somewhere in the middle is Al Harrington who improved his defense and scoring.
One of the most bizzare playoff champions of all time, the Spurs had an interesting training camp. Steve Nash improved his defense and handling. Cuttino Mobley and Tracy McGrady stayed the same along with Adonal Foyle. On paper it's still shocking to me that they won it all, can they have another improbable run in them this year?
Our last stop finds us in the mountains of Denver with the Nuggets. Our reason for being here is none other than Chauncey Billups who finally found his place in the league. Billups improved his inside scoring, outside shooting, handles and defense. With a team that includes McDyess, Lafrentz, Fortson he certainly has the team to lead and make an impact in the playoffs.
. So yeah at least I have Brand.