Grading the West: Midwest Division Review

Western Conference Draft/Overall Team Analysis
Team by Team

Midwest Division:


Dallas Mavericks:
Players Selected: F Terrence Jones, G Kenny Boynton, F Mason Plumlee

PF Terrence Jones B- C D+ B- C+
Scouted Potential: A

PG Kenny Boynton C+ B C+ C+ D-
Scouted Potential: A

PF Mason Plumlee C+ D D+ C+ B
Scouted Potential: C

Dallas just finished up a deal that sent 5th year PG DJ Augustin, G Shaun Livingston, 11th overall selection F Terrence Jones, and 2nd year guards Alec Burks and Malcolm Lee to Washington for perennial All-Star and All-League PG Deron Williams and off-guard Ronnie Brewer. Whether they selected Terrence Jones for Washington in this deal is still unclear, however Dallas immediately launched itself into the upper echelon of powerhouse teams of the Western Conference via this trade.

Williams continues to arguably be the best PG in the game, with his impeccable distribution and shooting numbers, year in and year out. GM Jcarter got the best of his two draft picks - one netting him All-League C Andrew Bogut, and the other netting him All-League PG Williams. Those two join a solid supporting cast which includes numerous draftees from the past few years. Markieff Morris looks to continue his tear as one of the best impact rookies of last seasons draft.

It’s obvious Jcarter has chosen to build this team from the bottom up based on one fundamental - Defense. Morris, along with Bogut and Eddie Griffin should provide enough of the championship ingredient to get them deep into the playoffs, in fact, many have Morris pegged as the next Shareef Abdur Rahim of the SSBL. Both are bruising forwards with a soft touch inside, and defensive tenacity that is matched by few, and both can guard 3 positions effectively.

The trio of Williams, Bogut and Morris should continue to grow and lead the Midwest Division for the better part of a decade, barring any major trades involving the 3.

Probable Starting Five:
C Andrew Bogut B+ D+ C- A- A- C
F Eddie Griffin B C+ C- B+ B+ D
F Markieff Morris B C+ C- B+ C+ B
G Ronnie Brewer B B- C A- C- C
G Deron Williams B- A- A A- C- C


Denver Nuggets:
Players Selected: C Kenny Lawson

C Kenny Lawson C D+ D B- B
Scouted Potential: B

After their Cinderella push toward the Conference best record 2 seasons ago, Denver has since lost a major component to their lineup and their defensive anchor, Martynas Andriuskevicius to the Grizzlies, and lost Chris Paul to a major injury which kept him out most of last season. Quintero must have been left with such a bitter taste in his mouth, that he decided to not put any faith into this years draft class - instead making a push for the top of the conference once again.

At the Lottery, the Nuggets were lucky enough to land the number 4 overall draft selection in the 2012 draft - giving them the choice of many future stars in the SSBL. Surprisingly, Quintero chose to put the pick on the block, finding a suitor in the Milwaukee Bucks and soon after he won the pick, the Nuggets were welcoming Carmelo Anthony to Denver to fill a SF position that hasn’t seen a reliable player since Antawn Jamison during the McDyess era. After successfully resigning Blake Griffin, Quintero is ready to push forward with the 2012-2013 season with a trio of Griffin, Anthony and Chris Paul - along with a fantastic group of role players including Randy Foye, Iman Shumpert and Patrick Patterson who is considered an early candidate for 6th Man of the Year if Quintero elects to bring him off the bench.

Most in the Denver organization will consider the 2011-2012 season a fluke when asked about it. That’s why we can’t wait to see what kind of damage this group does on the floor this upcoming October.

Probable Starting Five:
C Blake Griffin A- D+ C- A A- B
F Patrick Patterson B D+ D B B C
F Carmelo Anthony A- B- C+ A B C
G Randy Foye B- B+ B B D+ C
G Chris Paul C+ B+ A- A- C- C


Houston Rockets:
Players Selected: F Alex Oriakhi, G Edwin Jackson

PF Alex Oriakhi B- D+ D+ B- B
Scouted Potential: C

SG Edwin Jackson C B C B- C-
Scouted Potential: C

The Rockets are in a pure state of flux at the moment - their bigman Elton Brand is quickly becoming a fading star at 33, and Brandon Jennings is proving to be an inconsistent winner when the game is on the line. While the team has a few bright spots, it would be in the best interest of the team to make some moves and get some young blood in the lineup, especially at Center.

Michael Beasley is coming off a career season and recently signed an extension to keep him in a Houston uniform for the next 5 seasons. Beasley is easily the teams best player and the future at the small forward position, but Buff needs to start thinking about the rest of the teams future now that 2 of his next 3 best players are above 30. Kwame Brown won’t be able to give the team what he’s been offering for much longer, and Marcus Morris still seems a few years away from making a true impact.

The SG position is in most dire need at the moment, with two 23 year old prospects being the only capable shooting guards on the team. Neither can shoot well, even if Elliot Williams is known as a volume scorer - only 1 player shot better than 40% from the field last year - and that was Marcus Morris who made 8 of his 12 3 point attempts. In fact, on the entire team, only 5 players made a 3 pointer last season. The Rockets need some TLC, ASAP.

Probable Starting Five:
C Kwame Brown B D+ C B+ B+ C
F Elton Brand A- C- C- B A- D
F Michael Beasley B+ B C- A- C+ C
G Tito Maddox C+ B B+ B+ C- C
G Brandon Jennings B- B+ A- B D+ C


Minnesota Timberwolves: Defending Champions
Players Selected: F Kostas Papanikolaou, F Hollis Thompson, G William Buford

SF Kostas Papanikolaou B- C+ C B- C-
Scouted Potential: A

SF Hollis Thompson C+ B- C- B- C
Scouted Potential: B

SG William Buford C+ B C+ C+ C-
Scouted Potential: B

The Timberwolves were big movers on draft night - selecting 3 players overall, and re-acquiring their lost first rounder that was probably moved years ago. With their own selection, they picked Euro hotshot Kostas Papanikolaou, who could become one of the better players in the draft if he’s treated with care. He plays great defense, is an effective player at the rim standing at a solid 6 foot 8 inches, and 225 pounds. Kostas has a varied set of skills that make him an effective player in the Euro league - but it will be up to him to live up to his full potential and become an effective player in the SSBL.

Joining Kostas on the wing is Hollis Thompson of Georgetown. Hollis is less of a physical forward than Kostas, but he makes up for that with his ability to shoot the ball consistently from midrange, and the ability to hit shots from pro-range on occasion. He along with Papanikolaou is a nice defender with good fundamentals. They may not be the best defenders, but they certainly have the potential to become such players.

Their demeanor should fit in perfectly with the defending champions, who have long stressed the importance of team defense and shutting the opposition down. Look for both players to become steady contributors for the Wolves in a few years.

Probable Starting Five:
C Sean Williams B D+ D+ A- B- C
F Kevin Garnett A- C C- A- B+ F
F Ron Artest B A- C+ A- C+ C
G Tracy McGrady B B+ C+ A- C+ C
G Mo Williams C+ A B- A- D C


San Antonio Spurs:
Players Selected: F John Henson, G Reggie Bullock, F Arsalan Kazemi

PF John Henson B- D D+ B B-
Scouted Potential: C

Arsalan Kazemi B- C- C B C
Scouted Potential: B

Reggie Bullock B- C+ C B C
Scouted Potential: C

Many were surprised to see a player like Bullock slip to the late 1st round. He’s a solid ball handler, has a nice mid-range game and can get to the hoop and finish strong. However, his most renowned attribute is the defensive intensity in which he brings to the floor. The Spurs are without a General Manager at the time, however the league is working collectively to make the best decisions for the franchise.

With Dirk being 34, many understand his timeline is coming to an end shortly. While John Henson isn’t much of a prospect, he will do in the meantime while also being D-League eligible for fine tuning.

Arsalan Kazemi brings toughness on the wing, and could be a solid contributor behind Kawhi Leonard this season. Another team that prides itself on defense, the Spurs need a GM to come in and stress the importance of the teams best skill.

Probable Starting Five:
C Dirk Nowitzki B A- D+ A B D
F Paul Millsap B D+ C- B+ A- B
F Kawhi Leonard B C C B+ B- A
G Luther Head C A- B+ A- D+ C
G Marcus Williams B- B+ A A- C- C


Utah Jazz:
Players Selected: C Tyler Zeller, F Yancy Gates

C Tyler Zeller C+ C- C- B B-
Scouted Potential: C

PF Yancy Gates C+ C- D B- B-
Scouted Potential: C

The Jazz have been a quiet team since signing their superstar to a max contract last offseason and trading for DPOY Sergei Karaulov; sticking with their lineup of C Karaulov, PF LaMarcus Aldridge, SF Kevin Durant, SG Von Wafer and PG Lamar Odom. In the draft, they simply looked to shore up their frontcourt, and get some insurance in case Karaulov decided to bolt - which he didn’t.

With the Jazz’ lineup solidified for the near future, they can continue to find the right pieces to put around their core of youngsters. Within a few years, Kevin Durant could be hoisting his first Larry O’Brien trophy, hopefully at his own Energy Solutions Arena.

Probably Starting Five:
C Sergei Karaulov B- D D A- A- D
F LaMarcus Aldridge A- C C- B B+ B
F Kevin Durant B+ B+ C A C+ B
G Von Wafer C+ A- C B+ D+ C
G Lamar Odom B+ C+ B+ B+ B D


Memphis Grizzlies:
Players Selected: F Patric Young, F Augusto Cesar Lima, G Tu Holloway, G J-Mychal Reese

SF Patric Young B- C- C- B B+
Scouted Potential: B

PF Augusto Cesar Lima B- D+ D+ C+ C+
Scouted Potential: B

PG Tu Holloway C+ B C+ B- D
Scouted Potential: C

PG J-Mychal Reese C C B+ C+ D+
Scouted Potential: A

Memphis fans will see a lot of changes on the court next season, as management decided for a youth overhaul during the draft. Because many considered this the best draft the league has seen in quite some time, the team decided to go all-in in hopes they could snatch a steal. Memphis originally owned two other picks in this draft via trade: the eventual 9th overall selection (Jordan Hamilton) and the 20th overall selection (Kenny Boynton).

Despite moving those two picks, Memphis decided to get on the phones and acquire two additional picks in the mid-twenties outside their own, which turned out to be PF Augusto Cesar Lima, and high school standout PG J-Mychal Reese. Along with these two, Memphis selected athletic F Patric Young from Florida, who can play both forward positions, and Xavier guard Tu Holloway, who is mainly known for his ability to score the ball at will.

Whether or not any of these four see the court for the Grizzlies, it’s hard to not be excited in Memphis, given the opportunity these players have. Memphis has also just completed a trade which will send the team’s highly-touted starting SF Donte Greene, DeJuan Blair and JJ Redick to Los Angeles for defensive anchor Andrew Bynum. This addition gives Memphis a dynamic defensive duo in Andrew Bynum and the best defensive power forward in the game, Martynas Andriuskevicius.

Probably Starting Five:
C Andrew Bynum B D- D+ A B B
F Martynas Andriuskevicius B- C C- A B+ B
F Yaroslav Korolev B- B+ B- B C+ C
G James Harden C+ A- B- A- C- B
G Brandon Knight C+ B- B+ B- D+ A