Post by RManske2 on Feb 13, 2011 2:51:58 GMT -5
After taking a look at the potential free agency class of point guards, the next section takes a look at the shooting guard position. Unlike the point guards, this year's class of potential shooting guards seems somewhat weak since after a few big names at the top of the list the quality level seems to drop significantly. With that said, if you are looking for a starting shooting guard in this class there is a good possibility you'll end up disappointed unless you end up with one of the players highlighted in the article.
Dwayne Wade - Toronto Raptors
Current Stats: 22.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 2.1 steals per game[/b]
There is likely not a lot of debate that Toronto's Dwayne Wade is the top shooting guard to test the free agent market. In addition to being the top shooting guard, Wade is one of the top free agents in this year's class. The former number 3 pick out of Marquette University, Wade has established himself as a force in the league as in just four years he has collected a variety of individual honors and continued to do so this year as he made his first All-Star Game along with being named to the All-Defensive Team and All-League Third Team. As the numbers show above, Wade posted career highs in all key statistical categories of points, rebounds, assists, and steals (and turnovers as well, one of the very few weaknesses in his game).
In breaking down Wade's game, there is no question that he can do it all and do so quite well. The question becomes where will Wade play next season. Any team that is able to will throw a maximum contract at Wade and do anything they can to have him become their franchise player. This includes the team he currently plays for, the Toronto Raptors, as they can offer him the longest contract worth the most money. In addition, Wade is already playing on a legitimate contender as his team won 57 regular games and is preparing for the playoffs. Combine this with the facts that he is already playing with other superstars in Yao Ming and Kobe Bryant one would question why Wade would want to leave. However, as everyone knows, especially the Raptors GM, there is always that slight chance Wade could leave and go have his own team and truly be the man. Even with that said, I would be shocked to see this superstar put on another jersey come next season.
Gilbert Arenas - Phoenix Suns
Current Stats: 23.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.0 steals[/b]
The next big time shooting guard to hit the free agent market is Phoenix Sun star, and former University of Arizona star, Gilbert Arenas. Similar to Wade, Arenas was drafted high in the lottery when he came into the league (picked sixth) and has made an immediate impact and collected a variety of individual achievements while making his first All-Star Game this season. For a lack of a better way to describe it, Arenas is an offensive machine and has been since he first arrived in the league as he has averaged at least 22 points in each of his first four seasons and has a career average of 23.7 points per game. In addition to being a big time offensive weapon, Arenas has shown himself to be very solid on the defensive side of the court as he has averaged 2.1 steals per game over his young career.
Similar to Wade, Arenas is currently in a situation where he is surrounded by young talent including Dwight Howard, Danny Granger, and a couple of overlooked players in Chris Duhon and Ha Seung Jin. Combine this with the fact that the Suns can offer Arenas the biggest contract out of anyone and in the position to do so without having to worry about the hard cap at this point one would wonder why Arenas would leave the Valley of the Sun. However, as noted with Dwayne Wade, anything can happen.
Eddie Jones - Seattle Supersonics
Current Stats: 19.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 steals[/b]
To show the lack of depth in the shooting guard class perhaps the third best player available is Seattle's Eddie Jones. While Jones put up nice numbers this year and is one of the better players in the history of the league with a track record that includes a pair of championship rings and playoff MVP trophies, the issue is that Jones' best years are behind him. Next season will mark his thirteenth year and the one time Temple Owl will be 36 years old come opening night. While Jones would be a nice addition to any team based on his ability to be a legitimate offensive threat and play solid defense, the tricky part is how do teams approach the situation. Based on the fact Jones will be 36, there could be questions that his numbers may decrease and do so at a sharp rate. Taking this into consideration, it puts teams in a tough spot in offering a contract since a squad does not want to be stuck with a player that will see his salary go up and get less in return. Due to these factors, I would not be surprised to see the Sonics resign Jones to a rather large one year deal and use him as a trade asset to pick up the pieces they need to surround their current core of Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Paccelis Morlende to help the team continue to move forward.
Dwayne Wade - Toronto Raptors
Current Stats: 22.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 2.1 steals per game[/b]
There is likely not a lot of debate that Toronto's Dwayne Wade is the top shooting guard to test the free agent market. In addition to being the top shooting guard, Wade is one of the top free agents in this year's class. The former number 3 pick out of Marquette University, Wade has established himself as a force in the league as in just four years he has collected a variety of individual honors and continued to do so this year as he made his first All-Star Game along with being named to the All-Defensive Team and All-League Third Team. As the numbers show above, Wade posted career highs in all key statistical categories of points, rebounds, assists, and steals (and turnovers as well, one of the very few weaknesses in his game).
In breaking down Wade's game, there is no question that he can do it all and do so quite well. The question becomes where will Wade play next season. Any team that is able to will throw a maximum contract at Wade and do anything they can to have him become their franchise player. This includes the team he currently plays for, the Toronto Raptors, as they can offer him the longest contract worth the most money. In addition, Wade is already playing on a legitimate contender as his team won 57 regular games and is preparing for the playoffs. Combine this with the facts that he is already playing with other superstars in Yao Ming and Kobe Bryant one would question why Wade would want to leave. However, as everyone knows, especially the Raptors GM, there is always that slight chance Wade could leave and go have his own team and truly be the man. Even with that said, I would be shocked to see this superstar put on another jersey come next season.
Gilbert Arenas - Phoenix Suns
Current Stats: 23.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.0 steals[/b]
The next big time shooting guard to hit the free agent market is Phoenix Sun star, and former University of Arizona star, Gilbert Arenas. Similar to Wade, Arenas was drafted high in the lottery when he came into the league (picked sixth) and has made an immediate impact and collected a variety of individual achievements while making his first All-Star Game this season. For a lack of a better way to describe it, Arenas is an offensive machine and has been since he first arrived in the league as he has averaged at least 22 points in each of his first four seasons and has a career average of 23.7 points per game. In addition to being a big time offensive weapon, Arenas has shown himself to be very solid on the defensive side of the court as he has averaged 2.1 steals per game over his young career.
Similar to Wade, Arenas is currently in a situation where he is surrounded by young talent including Dwight Howard, Danny Granger, and a couple of overlooked players in Chris Duhon and Ha Seung Jin. Combine this with the fact that the Suns can offer Arenas the biggest contract out of anyone and in the position to do so without having to worry about the hard cap at this point one would wonder why Arenas would leave the Valley of the Sun. However, as noted with Dwayne Wade, anything can happen.
Eddie Jones - Seattle Supersonics
Current Stats: 19.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 steals[/b]
To show the lack of depth in the shooting guard class perhaps the third best player available is Seattle's Eddie Jones. While Jones put up nice numbers this year and is one of the better players in the history of the league with a track record that includes a pair of championship rings and playoff MVP trophies, the issue is that Jones' best years are behind him. Next season will mark his thirteenth year and the one time Temple Owl will be 36 years old come opening night. While Jones would be a nice addition to any team based on his ability to be a legitimate offensive threat and play solid defense, the tricky part is how do teams approach the situation. Based on the fact Jones will be 36, there could be questions that his numbers may decrease and do so at a sharp rate. Taking this into consideration, it puts teams in a tough spot in offering a contract since a squad does not want to be stuck with a player that will see his salary go up and get less in return. Due to these factors, I would not be surprised to see the Sonics resign Jones to a rather large one year deal and use him as a trade asset to pick up the pieces they need to surround their current core of Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Paccelis Morlende to help the team continue to move forward.
