tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49433269389053550372024-03-05T01:26:59.039-05:00Slap Dog HoopsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.comBlogger6547125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-36474548805500421232015-06-14T09:42:00.001-04:002015-06-14T09:42:18.218-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 17. Oklahoma City Thunder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
Projection:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">50-32, second place Northwest Division, fifth place Western
Conference</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual Finish:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">45-37,
second place Northwest Division, ninth place Western Conference</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: x-large;">Projected<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015 Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;">9</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015
Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;"><span style="color: red;">17</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
Statistics and League Rank</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 104.0 (5<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 101.8(24<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .447 (18<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .440 (9<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FT%: .754 (15<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .339 (23<sup>rd</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 47.5 (1<sup>st</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 42.7 (11<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 14.0 (20<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 12.9 (21<sup>st</sup>)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Individual
Statistical Leaders</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): Russell Westbrook (28.1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: Serge Ibaka (7.8)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: Russell Westbrook (34.4)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: Russell Westbrook (8.8)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: Enes Kanter (.566)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage<i>: </i> Jeremy Lamb (.890)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: Anthony Morrow (.434)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: Russell Westbrook (2.1)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: Serge Ibaka (2.4)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106768208783344578674" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Russell </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">Westbrook</span></a></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdLLS6Ypwc5tj9bM6kFDyYFWxSLF4zMZNtRDQZnqTf8mD7AIjF4tEQqd9TV8uod7vyA5a-Xu0pQs2dgeasoneIiuEiOsSbtlwp4xefcPcjf7cgkCulJtk2rZRySHhtR69JwyoAp3StHU/s1600/russell+westbrook+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdLLS6Ypwc5tj9bM6kFDyYFWxSLF4zMZNtRDQZnqTf8mD7AIjF4tEQqd9TV8uod7vyA5a-Xu0pQs2dgeasoneIiuEiOsSbtlwp4xefcPcjf7cgkCulJtk2rZRySHhtR69JwyoAp3StHU/s1600/russell+westbrook+2015.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">What an absolute shame that the Thunder failed to make the post season, because if it had, this man would have most likely won the title of Most Valuable Player; however, even if he may be overlooked in the MVP race, there is no doubting that Russell Westbrook put forth one of single most impressive athletic performances for not only the year, but possibly in recent history. This man literally carried the team on his back over the course of the regular season on both ends of the court as he finished it as not only the league's leading scorer, but also fourth in the league in assists with nearly ten per game and second in steals per game. In addition to ranking in the top five in scoring, assists and steals, Westbrook was a absolute monster on the boards leading all point guards in rebounds averaging more than seven per game thus making him even more statistically intimidating that the king himself, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116177499528246685421" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+LeBron </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">James</span></a>. Although Westbrook may have earned bragging rights for having the single most impressive season in possibly NBA history, what stings the most is that it was essentially all for naught as his team failed to make the playoffs despite such a mind blowing performance that will probably will never be seen again for quite some time</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Face to Forget: Scott Brooks</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgOCJ5gVLk0TJvAuRBqetiJzQ4pcfSf0NZwO5cXTFVzoqDsiBDnUq77hPwPjzYhB0H_uJGe4MeMScyRRXvcHcAZMU86uKhPnSAb3VmAltpbOtrfhAjKWPmWpJoSXREqW9UoCatNAjJW4/s1600/scott+brooks+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgOCJ5gVLk0TJvAuRBqetiJzQ4pcfSf0NZwO5cXTFVzoqDsiBDnUq77hPwPjzYhB0H_uJGe4MeMScyRRXvcHcAZMU86uKhPnSAb3VmAltpbOtrfhAjKWPmWpJoSXREqW9UoCatNAjJW4/s1600/scott+brooks+2015.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As Westbrook's earth shattering performance and super-heroics feats disappear in the annals of sports history, there will be an equally tragic event for Thunder basketball. Scott Brooks--the man who led the team to countless division titles, playoff appearances, thus making him one of the sought after coaches in the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" target="_blank">+NBA</a>--has been let go by the organization due to the team's inability to make the playoffs this season. What makes this decision so unjust was not the fact that he got fired after just one disappointing finish, but the fact that he kept the team afloat and in the playoff chase despite the obstacles. For much of the season, he was without <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109100387196495436622" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Kevin </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">Durant</span></a>, Serge Ibaka, and Russell Westbrook, yet still managed to keep the Thunder in striking distance of the post season; yet, through some cruel twist of fate, the team was eliminated out of contention as the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101477619738648074996" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: red;">+New Orle</span><span style="background-color: #7f6000; color: red;">ans Pelicans</span></a> snatched the tie-breaker away from them leaving the Thunder on the outside looking in for the first time in five years and their now former head coach looking for a job. Now Brooks will have a chance to prove that he can still coach an NBA team to playoff glory without having his two former anchors in Durant and Westbrook. It will be interesting to see how he will manage in a new environment, with new personnel and a different front office; however, what will be even more intriguing is who the Thunder chose as his successor and whether or not he will maintain the team the way Brooks had for so long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Forgive the pun, but to say that the 2015 <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" target="_blank">+NBA</a> Season for the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">City Thunder</span></a> was a "stormy" one would be putting it mildly as the team started it without its two leading scorers <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109100387196495436622" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Kevin </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">Durant</span></a> and Russell Westbrook for the first month on the season and stumbled out of the gates with a 5-12 record. Yet in spite of the odds against them, the Thunder clawed back to respectability thanks to the return of their dynamic duo leading the charge, but by the time the team seemed to get back on track Oklahoma City still faced an uphill battle as they had plenty of ground to return to contention in the rather overwhelming Western Conference. As if matters were not arduous enough, in their quest for returning to relevancy, the Thunder would receive another harsh blow as Kevin Durant would be lost for the rest of the season after playing just 27 games leaving Westbrook to shoulder the scoring load in the most crucial month of the regular season; nevertheless, Westbrook answered the call as he put up on the single most impressive individual performances in possibly the history of sports and dragged his team to very end battling for the final playoff berth in the West. His finishing the season not only as the league's top scorer, but one of its top assist men and ball thieves would possibly earned him MVP honors had the Thunder managed to clinch the final playoff spot in the West; however, both Westbrook and his team were cheated as they had been eliminated out of contention at the very last game of the season thanks to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101477619738648074996" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #7f6000; color: red;">+New Orl</span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: red;">eans Pelicans</span></a>--who narrowly passed them thanks to a tie breaking technicality.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Although they finished with the exact same 45-37 record, the upstart Pelicans narrowly edged the more seasoned Thunder thanks to them having a better record in the Western Conference--29-23 compared to OKC's 25-27 finish; however, that should not mar what has been an overall impressive season by a team that had so many odds against it. Oklahoma City literally took the expression "fighting to the very end," to heart as it virtually brushed off such a horrific start, scratched and clawed through every game winning 40 of their next 65 while undergoing great flux within the organization--not only with the absence of Durant, but also great with upheaval within the roster as well. Along with Durant, the Thunder also had to endure another significant loss in <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/114052085072467488648" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Serge </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">Ibaka</span></a>--the team's leading rebounding and shot blockers as well as its third leading scorer to boot--who had to sit out the season as well for knee surgery and had to deal with an emerging problem heading over the horizon. During the first month of the season, point guard Reggie Jackson had stepped in to fill the void left by Westbrook's and Durant's absence and posted the best numbers in his career leading the team in points (19.3), assists (7.5) and minutes played, while at the same time grabbed 5.3 rebounds at the same time; however upon Durant's and Westbrook's arrival, both Jackson's minutes and production significantly dropped resulting in him becoming frustrated with his role and demanding a trade. This resulted in the Thunder pulling off a massive deal involving the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117740164364538373585" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Detroit </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Pistons</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100541792472447759793" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">+Utah </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Jazz</span></a> that not only cast away a disgruntled player, but also relieved them of a perennial useless dead weight in <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/118157989717647224215" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Kendrick </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Perkins</span></a>--who had worn out his welcome with fans for quite some time--plus gathered pieces to bolster its roster for the final stretch run.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">From Detroit, OKC received point guard <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3415/d.j.-augustin" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">DJ </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">Augustin</span></a> and swing man <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6469/kyle-singler" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Kyle </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">Singler</span></a>--two players whose both their ball handling ability and shooting prowess meshed in well with the Thunder's offensive set giving a team a suitable fill in for Durant in Singler while at the same time adding a point guard who did not mind to take a back seat, unlike Jackson; however, they were not the biggest part of the deal. In a shocking move, the Jazz gave the Thunder rising young big man <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115470481057893624164" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Enes </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">Kanter</span></a>, who had been just coming into his own in the last couple of years and had the makings of a potential All Star down the road; however, similar to the situation with Jackson, Kanter felt uncomfortable with his limited role in Utah and upon arriving to Okay City, he certainly proved himself worthy of All Star consideration with a stellar performance that was only eclipsed by Westbrook's own. The 23 year old fourth year center from Turkey was unstoppable as he stormed in posting some of the best numbers that has not been seen from an NBA center with averages of 19 points and 11 rebounds per game while shooting an unconscious .566 from the field during the last 26 games of the regular season. In addition to <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115017834901229548486" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Dion </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">Waiters</span></a>, whom the team acquired earlier in a trade with the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100683165118349235829" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Cleveland </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Cavaliers</span></a>, along with an already solid supporting class of role players from the previous seasons, the Oklahoma City Thunder looked just as strong as it did with both Durant and Ibaka in the roster on both ends of the floor while at the same time provided fans a sneak peak of what might come once they return next season. Unfortunately, in spite of the rather impressive roster upgrades, it became a case of "too little, too late" for the Thunder as the team's 5-12 start was simply too much of a burden to bear resulting in not only missing the post season, but also falling out of any chance of attaining the number one overall pick in this summer's upcoming draft which is probably worse than simply falling apart and wasting the season away the same way the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117530429380139429277" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+New Yo</span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">rk Knicks</span></a><span style="color: orange;">,</span> <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111410703357000754962" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Los Ang</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">eles Lakers</span></a> , <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104029868095544588252" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">+Philadelphia </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">76ers</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111231223957836734952" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">+Minnesota </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Timberwolves</span></a> did to the chagrin of many. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Fortunately for the Thunder, they are not in as too bad of a situation as the other teams in the league that fell short to make the playoffs since their fall came due to a series of unfortunate circumstances rather than showing that they are a team in decline or disarray. Had both Durant and Westbrook been healthy from opening tip off, Oklahoma City would have won at least 55 to 60 games easy; however, as a result of just sheer bad luck and the even worst misfortune of being in a conference which does not allow any margin of error, the Thunder were forced to play catch up for the majority of the season. The team will certainly be in better shape with Westbrook, Durant and Ibaka at full strength as they have the entire summer to relax, recuperate and recover from their respective surgeries and hopefully if there are no complications, their restoration period will pass without any complications; however, next season will be bittersweet as they will return without their head coach from the past seven years as it was recently announced that Scott Brooks had been relieved of his post as a result of this off chance season. The dismissal of Brooks can be considered as both a shame and an injustice since he had led Thunder to stand among the league's elite from the moment he stepped into the coaching seat and it was primarily because of his coaching that the Thunder managed to remain in the playoff chase until the very end; plus, the person who will be replacing him has no experience coaching the NBA and will be expected to return this seasoned veteran team back to the stature that Brooks originally brought it in the first place. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/coaches/_/id/2499004/billy-donovan" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Billy </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">Donovan</span></a> has been successful in the college ranks leading the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112027505925409741055" target="_blank">+Florida Gators</a> to two straight <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101207041564481801832" target="_blank">+NCAA</a> Championship titles plus numerous tournament appearances since then; however, so far no college coach, even the most successful in their respective fields has been able to bring that same success to the pros and he will be expected to coach a team where he will have little or no learning curve and the margin of error is nonexistent. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The introduction of a new coach could not have come at a worse time as next season will possibly be the most pivotal for the franchise because the contracts of both the team's franchise players will expire at its end and such a crucial time needs a more seasoned professional at the coach's seat rather than one that is learning the ropes. This past season has made this situation especially rough because it was essentially wasted due to the the injuries of both Durant and Westbrook and the team's failure to make the playoffs thus resulting in this upcoming one possibly being the last hurrah for this small market NBA franchise that has gained such critical acclaim in such a short span of time. Since arriving to Oklahoma City from Seattle, the Thunder went from wallowing at the bottom as a lottery team its first year to winning 50 games and reaching the playoffs in its second to reaching the NBA Finals two years later and has maintained a reputation as one of the league's elite and most successful franchises since then. Unfortunately, this past season has put all that in jeopardy as it was supposed to be a make or break year to see whether or not it had what it took to at least pull off one last NBA Championship run before everything falls apart and the Thunder would be forced to start back from scratch after such a successful seven year playoff run. Now Thunder fans will have to painfully endure endless speculation and await this season not with their usual hope and excitement, but with the dread of what may soon come. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-8169403439884242292015-06-09T14:38:00.000-04:002015-06-09T14:41:13.376-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 18. Phoenix Suns<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
Projection:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">34-48, fifth place Pacific Division, thirteenth place Western
Conference</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual Finish:</span><span style="font-size: large;"> 39-43,
third place Pacific Division, tenth place Western Conferenc</span>e<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: x-large;">Projected<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015 Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;">25</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015
Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;"><span style="color: lime;">18</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
Statistics and League Rank</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 102.4 (11<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 103.3 (18<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .452 (15<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .452 (24<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FT%: .760(11<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .341 (21<sup>st</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 43.2 (17<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 45.3 (28<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 14.5 (26<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 15.0 (7<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Individual
Statistical Leaders</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): Eric Bledsoe (17.0)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: Alex Len (6.6)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: Eric Bledsoe (34.6)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: Eric Bledsoe (6.1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: Brandan Wright (.580)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage: Brandon Knight (.830)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: Marcus Morris (.358)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: Eric Bledsoe (1.6)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: Alex Len (1.5)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113659510753177322919" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Markieff </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;">Morris</span></a></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQv8VFesXl_2e5-y2FJx4pVZGwCU_CmRPaWSu7SRdDQoNYOgl0ETbkFCGbK2dBVWdfV-jli007Q9iGRvHqeHK_v9B3C0jeaDoHseMvGg-7jvMNIXoIkLFCiJF9ihI7NPlaLGxNXRFDeM/s1600/markieff+morris+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQv8VFesXl_2e5-y2FJx4pVZGwCU_CmRPaWSu7SRdDQoNYOgl0ETbkFCGbK2dBVWdfV-jli007Q9iGRvHqeHK_v9B3C0jeaDoHseMvGg-7jvMNIXoIkLFCiJF9ihI7NPlaLGxNXRFDeM/s1600/markieff+morris+2015.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">After three years of staying in the shadows and in relative obscurity, Markieff Morris has finally had his come out party to the world posting career highs in scoring, rebounding, steals, and minutes played. His 16.2 points per game was second behind leading scorer <span style="color: orange;"><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107197117377489859990" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Eric </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;">Bledsoe</span></a> </span>and ranked among the top ten in power forwards in the league in scoring as well. In the 82 games he played for the Suns, he posted 10 double-doubles in points and rebounds while putting up double figures in scoring in all but 17 games while posting 15 or more points in half the games he played. Unfortunately his efforts were not enough for the Suns as the team fell out of the playoff picture yet for the fifth straight year; yet in spite of that, he still gives Suns fans plenty of hope for the future as he has shown plenty of potential to be one of the upper echelon big men in the league. Now all that remains to be seen is whether or not his teammate and twin brother, Marcus, will follow in his footsteps as he too posted a respectable season as well with 10.4 points and 4.8 boards per game, but was not nearly of an impact as his brother was. </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Face to Forget: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107631614542263138718" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+PJ </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;">Tucker</span></a> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last season, he was the hidden gem that helped the Suns not only win a shocking 48 games, but within a hair's breath of a playoff berth had it not been for the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107197977601900902096" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Dallas </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Mavericks</span></a> slipping past them winning just one game more; however, this season he went from a key contributor to literal dead weight that would soon fall out of the rotation. PJ Tucker's disappointing downfall started as early as last off season as he was stopped by police for driving WAY above the legally standard blood alcohol level; yet the Suns management still found it prudent to reward him with a lucrative four year 24$ million contract extension. Sadly, his return did not provide Phoenix with the offensive punch that they expected from him as he would fall out of the starting rotation at the time, his team won nine less game than they did the previous year. Fortunately for the Suns, PJ's contract is small enough not to hurt their cap situation which can be easily traded if need be and that might be the case as Tucker has become less of strength and more of a liability on a team that suffered from a severe lack of size last season. More than likely, he will most probably be dealt before next season's trade deadline as the Suns look to recover from what has been a rather disappointing season to say the least. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The 2015 <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" target="_blank">+NBA</a> Season was an absolute embarrassment for the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109870053628419941069" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Phoenix </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;">Suns</span></a> as not only did they fail to make the playoffs, but they manage to do worse than the previous season. Last year, the Suns were the surprise team in the league as they far exceeded expectations by winning 45 games, and despite missing the playoffs, gave their fans plenty of hope for the following season; however, instead of building upon where they left off, they actually slipped and fell off a few notches. The season started well enough as the Suns maintained above .500 throughout the first three months of the season and by the end of January sat firmly with a 28-21 record; however, once February rolled around the Suns only managed to win 11 of their last 33 games thus falling out of playoff contention for the fifth straight year. It was almost as if the team had suddenly run out of gas as its fast paced run and gun offense ran out of ammunition while their defense, which was nothing to write home about anyways, allowed their opponents to not only catch up with them, but actually outpaced them. Not only did the Suns allow opposing team to outscore them by 0.9 points, but they also permit them to out rebound them by a +2.1 margin--in spite of them both shooting at the same field goal percentage--and turned the ball over as much as their opponents as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">One primary reason for this collapse was the sad fact that the Suns were simply out-matched as they were extremely undersized thus unable to prevent their opponents from scoring in the paint and had no real superstar players to rely on, despite handing over franchise player caliber money to <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107197117377489859990" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Eric </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;">Bledsoe</span></a> during the off season. Bledsoe certainly proved that he was worth the five year 70$ million extension the Suns signed him to as he led the team in scoring, assists, steals, and minutes played per games; however, at the same time, he failed to prove that he was capable of carry a team as his numbers never really stood out among the top point guards in the league thus not bringing the superstar presence that the Suns hoped that he would be. It did not help that the Suns virtually spent the off season acquiring point guards in the off chance that Bledsoe would not re-sign with them resulting in the team having a glut of five point guards playing while at the same time had little or anything to complement them in the front court which had been all but invisible for most of the season. Markieff Morris was the sole offensive presence in the front court, but the big man was anything but the "power forward" that he was listed as he spent most of his time circling the perimeter on offense while providing little if anything on the defensive side on the floor which can be seen by his rather poor rebounding numbers of just 6.2 per game. As for the rest of the big man corps, they had produced rather shamefully altogether as seven players combined for just 34.4 points and 26.6 rebounds per game--which averages to just about 4.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per player--thus leaving the Suns rather weak in the paint allowing opposing teams to simply have their way with them down low.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Upon closer examination, one can certainly determine how the Suns who were doing so well earlier in the season fall so sharply by February--it was simply because the team was just too worn down to keep up with its competition due to its severe lack of a front court presence which primarily provided rim protection, rebounding and overall physical presence in the paint. Despite finishing the season with a rather respectable .452 field goal percentage, much of the Suns' offense came from the perimeter and since there was virtually no one to receive the ball down low and execute in the paint, opposing defenses would simply focus on the Suns' shooters rather than give any attention to anyone below the top of the key. As a result, there was little or no space for attacking the basket since all the lanes were essentially blocked off as there was no one to keep opposing defenses somewhat honest enough to keep an eye on any Phoenix player that happens to be in the paint at any given time. The lack of front court presence also hurt the Suns in the areas of rebounding and transition defensive because they were simply getting out muscled on the boards and literally had no one to stop the competition from running across the other side of the court and getting easy baskets. Phoenix's only defensive strategy simply seemed to be outscoring the other team rather than put any defensive pressure on the ball and at least make an effort to try and stop the opposing team from scoring the ball; instead, their plan was to simply out run and out shoot their opponents hoping that the break neck pace would tire them out--a plan that was pretty much doomed to fail because they simply did not have the personnel talented enough to pull it off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">82 games was simply too long of a time span for any team to maintain the break neck run and gun pace that the Suns tried to play, so it was little wonder how they ran out of gas by mid season; plus, it did not help the team's chances if it allowed their opponents to play at the same speed because they will just burn out on both ends of the court. Sure, what little defense they did show led to finishing seventh in the league in opponents' turnovers, but their efforts were often cancelled out by the team's lack of discipline with the ball which resulted in the Suns committing as many turnovers that the team forced their competition to commit; however, this was not one of the only areas where Phoenix performed well only to shoot themselves in the foot by allowing their opponents to do the same. Along with finishing with a rather efficient field goal percentage, the Suns also performed well on the offensive boards averaging about eleven per game which allowed them to finish 13th per game; however, their primarily perimeter focused offense and the lack of a presence in the paint led to their opponents being able to grab more rebounds on the defensive end once again cancelling Phoenix's effort on the offensive glass. To add insult to injury, in spite of their less than stellar defensive effort as can be seen by the points that they allowed along with their opponents' field goal percentage, the Suns did finished a respectable twelfth place in the league in blocked shots per game at 4.7 per game; however, that did not stop their opponents from beating them on the offensive glass and getting put backs into the basket either. Altogether, it was their lack of size which did them in once the season ended as they literally did not have the presence down low to fight for rebounds as well as produce any scoring in the paint thus one can actually blame the Suns' downfall to the team's front office whose poor decision making left the team undersized and outclassed for the bulk of the regular season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">If Phoenix plans to return to the playoff contender status it enjoyed five years ago, the front office will have to do some major work in the off season to try and attract star quality talent because as it stands now, the Suns have none to speak of and with the team at its current state, there is no way that they will see the post season anytime soon. With their competitors in the Western Conference vastly surpassing them over the past five years, the Suns have plenty of ground to gain back and their window of opportunity continues to close with each passing season as the overall playoff field has been initially set for the next few years so unless something drastic happens within the next few months, folks in Phoenix will find themselves once again on the outside looking in. In order to do so, both the coaching staff and the front office have to make drastic changes in not only their roster, but their overall basketball philosophy and culture because it seems as if the team has fallen behind the times remaining with an ineffective style of play while not bringing in players needed to add toughness to a roster that is sorely lacking in it. Unless that happens Suns fans will continue to find their team hovering around mediocrity not getting any better than a team not good enough to make the playoffs, yet not bad enough to garner a better chance at the number one pick in the draft and no one wants that. Lets hope that the front office gets its act together because after five straight years with no playoff appearances, the Suns' relevancy in the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" target="_blank">+NBA</a> looks to be fading with each passing season. </span> <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-28897204712320658222015-06-03T11:39:00.003-04:002015-06-03T11:43:12.707-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 19. Indiana Pacers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
Projection:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">38-44, fifth place Central Division, eleventh place Eastern
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual Finish:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">38-44,
fourth place Central Division, ninth place Eastern Conference</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;">22</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015 Finish</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;"><span style="color: lime;">19</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
Statistics and League Rank</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 97.3 (24<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 97.0 (4<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .439 (23<sup>rd</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .435 (3<sup>rd</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FT%: .756 (13<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .352 (12<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 44.9 (5<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 42.7 (10<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 13.3 (12<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 12.1 (26<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Individual
Statistical Leaders</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3438/george-hill" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">George</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Hill</span></a> (16.1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3436/roy-hibbert" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">Roy </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Hibbert</span></a> (7.1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: George Hill (29.5)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: George Hill (5.1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2774/ian-mahinmi" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">Ian </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Mahinmi</span></a> (.552)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3277/c.j.-watson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">CJ </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Watson</span></a> (.830)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2309097/damjan-rudez" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">Damjan </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Rudez</span></a> (.406)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: George Hill (1.0)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: Roy Hibbert (1.8)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/coaches/_/id/2613483/frank-vogel" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">Frank </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Vogel</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65OpfooBv3hOQUuY_RyMANYjii5vyxGVEsSUwvxTWY3F6XW1M8-KTJoYJ1zuNcfSLWsxjgAfRJyUclL53RpNGkSgVeGDJRy1q3VAqxyqrOvC8xTs-dzv5yrTDNvcqbseFaVaMY4jOnuc/s1600/frank+vogel+nov+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65OpfooBv3hOQUuY_RyMANYjii5vyxGVEsSUwvxTWY3F6XW1M8-KTJoYJ1zuNcfSLWsxjgAfRJyUclL53RpNGkSgVeGDJRy1q3VAqxyqrOvC8xTs-dzv5yrTDNvcqbseFaVaMY4jOnuc/s1600/frank+vogel+nov+2014.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last season Frank Vogel would have been castigated for the poor utilization of his players and the even more disgraceful anemic offensive production which showed both a lack of creativity or any real thought on his part; however, this season, it was the same weaknesses that he has been chided for that kept his team from becoming a complete disaster and kept Indy in playoff contention until the very end. The man was left with virtually nothing to start the regular season as his team were without their star player, Paul George, who had suffered a season ending injury during the summer as well as the lack of foresight of his boss, Larry Bird, to allow Lance Stephenson, the Pacers' second best player, to walk away in free agency. All that remained were a bunch of over the hill veterans in David West, Luis Scola, Roy Hibbert and George Hill who spent much of the season on the injured list along with a list of no names and castaways from other teams. Instead of throwing his hands up in despair, Vogel managed to take the little he had and still kept the Pacers a rather strong competitive force despite the limited offensive output and complete lack of scoring. Even in the worst of times when it seemed so bleak that his team would never recover, he still managed to keep his team focused and playing together to the best of its collective ability thus making him the most crucial part of the Pacers' troubled 2015 season.</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Face to Forget: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101508053598900888727" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Larry </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Bird</span></a> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pacers fans: want someone to blame for the sad shape your team is in? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then look no further than the man you people so reverently worship because it was Larry Bird who chose to cheap out on <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4244" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">Lance</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Stephenson</span></a> which led him to jump ship to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117085501640270338175" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Charlotte </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Hornets</span></a>. Stephenson certainly would have been useful considering the loss of <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4251/paul-george" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">Paul </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">George</span></a> for the season and the fact that he chose to replace him with cheaper and less effective alternatives makes his errors even more grievous. Instead of finding ways to improve the team in the wake of the reemergence of the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100683165118349235829" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Cleveland </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Cavaliers</span></a> and the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113765985818267570365" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Chicago Bulls</span></a>, he chose to stand pat at with same time of tired, worn out, and over the hill players resulting his team to fall from first place last season to second to last in its own Central Division. To make matters worse, he did not see the writing on the wall choosing to allow the team to make a playoff push instead of scrapping it altogether, tanking, and make a bid for a top three pick the same way the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111410703357000754962" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Los An</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">geles Lakers</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117530429380139429277" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+New Yo</span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">rk Knicks</span></a> did. Now not only has Indy missed the playoffs, but at best will have the number 12 pick in this upcoming draft to look forward to. It just goes to show how Larry Bird is so out of touch with today's NBA and needs to do the right thing and step down because things will not get any better as long as he is at the helm. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-large;">How the mighty have fallen--just a year ago, the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107186556217214438380" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Indiana</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Pacers</span></a> had finished the regular season with the best record in the Eastern Conference and had reached as far as the Conference Finals until they were taken down by the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116388234061758143958" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Miami </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">HEAT</span></a>; however, now all of that glory is gone as the team fell from being the top dog in its division for the past two years to dragging near the bottom of the barrel this season. Pacers fans would blame their team's sudden crashing downfall to the fact that they missed their star player, Paul George, due to the horrific season ending injury that he suffered during a summer exhibition game; however, even before then there were signs that Indy's ride on top of the wave of the NBA's elite was about to come crashing down. It first came with the news of <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116177499528246685421" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+LeBron</span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;"> James</span></a> returning to the place he once called home signing to the team that originally drafted him, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100683165118349235829" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Cleveland </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Cavaliers</span></a>, and the team's acquisition of All Star power forward <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100229200866327518997" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Kevin</span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;"> Love</span></a> from the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111231223957836734952" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">+Minnesota </span><span style="background-color: #999999; color: lime;">Timberwolves</span></a> during the off-season thus completely removing any competitive advantage the Pacers ever had. Fellow Central Division rival, the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113765985818267570365" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Chicago Bulls</span></a> also got into the act as they significantly upgrading their roster thanks to the addition of All Star big man and two time <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" target="_blank">+NBA</a> Championship winner <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100779095458956856934" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Pau Gasol</span></a>; nonetheless, that was not the worst of the turmoil as the final blow came from the Pacers' boss, Larry Bird, when he refused to pay Lance Stephenson--the Pacers' third leading scorer who also led the team in rebounds, assists, and field goal percentage--the money that he deserved. That led to Stephenson, who many arguably considered as the heart and soul of that 2014 Pacers team, to jump ship and sign for less money and a shorter contract to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117085501640270338175" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Charlotte</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;"> Hornets</span></a> as both an act of defiance and disgust towards both Bird and the Pacers organization leaving the team with no real go to guy on offense as well as an excellent passer and lock down defender. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">All that coupled with the fact the Larry Bird did absolutely nothing in terms of improving the team led to Indiana coming into the 2015 regular season with a hodgepodge roster off broken down and over the hill players blended in with a group of rejects and no name garbage players. Their returning key players were already in bad enough shape with <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2177/david-west" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">David </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">West</span></a>, Indy's second leading </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">scorer and rebounder last year, missing the entire month of November due to injury and starting point guard George Hill missing almost half the season as well due to injury; however, that was further amplified by the poor play of </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117879988557666922581" style="font-size: xx-large;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Roy </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Hibbert</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">, whose game continued to decline and </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106466745785645995727" style="font-size: xx-large;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Luis </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Scola</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">, whom at 35 years old was initially running on fumes throughout the season. Despite his near 15$ million price tag and having the opportunity to take a greater role on the team with George and Stephenson no longer there, Hibbert's play was uninspired to say the least as he was barely a factor on the offensive end while his rebounding at just 7.1 per game was not much to write home about either, considering he was the team's primary presence in the paint. To make matters worse for the Pacers' front court production, upon returning from the injured list, David West would prove to be a shadow of his former self as he finished the season with one his worst performances in his career averaging a paltry 11.7 point per game--down from his near 16.0 points per game that he has produced over the last two years. And despite putting up rather respectable numbers for a player headed towards the twilight of his career with 9.4 points and 6.8 rebounds while being the sole member of that group to play the entire season, Poor Luis Scola simply could not give any more than the 20.5 minutes he played which left the Pacers struggling to search for ways to put the ball in the basket.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Fortunately, despite their crumbling core of veterans, the Pacers still managed by some miracle to scrape up and pool what very few resources they had to kick, bite scratch for every single points thanks to the team's scrappy play which actually helped them to outscore their opponents by +0.3 margin as well as out shoot them by an even slimmer +.004 margin; however, what actually kept them in their games was their all out effort on defense and on the glass as they ranked in the top five in the league in points allowed, opponents' field goal percentage and rebounds per game. Give head coach Frank Vogel plenty of credit for motivating his players and encouraging his players to battle the odds and go beyond their limits even if it did not mean winning in the end because it is doubtful that any coach in the NBA would have been able to keep the Pacers treading water until the very end of the season with the little that he had to work with. With all the injuries and adversity that both he and his team faced throughout the season, Vogel had to scrape way down to the bottom of the roster to find someone ready, willing and able to contribute regardless of the outcome. Thankfully, he found what he needed from every player on his roster and it was not pretty to say the least with seven players averaging in double figures and six of them putting up more than five points per game; sadly, however, none of the players--save for George Hill, who only played just 43 games--managed to average at least 15 points per game for the season thus showing how the team struggled to find a go to player that the team can count on scoring baskets.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Nevertheless, in spite being unable to find at least one player who can consistently put points up on the scoreboard on a regular basis, Vogel and his crew of misfits managed to keep their opponents scoring low enough for them to at least catch up and have a shot at winning; however, with that style of play being so physically grueling, the Pacers simply could not hold on to grab wins and their inability to score made it even more difficult since they could not score at the other end of the court to save their lives. Without anyone really capable to execute and be even somewhat offensively efficient, much of the team's defensive effort was often wasted which often resulted in the Pacers to essentially run out of gas thus giving way for their opponents to push past them and worst of all, all the blood sweat and tears that Indy shed means anything as they failed to make the playoffs. To add insult to injury, not only did all that effort and hard way fail to get them into the post season, but the Pacers have to suffer an even more stinging blow in that their 38-44 record essentially eliminated them from any chance of attaining the number one overall pick in this summer's NBA Draft and the best they can hope for is a pick between the 10 to twelve range. In hindsight, instead of putting all that effort and suffering the heartbreak of falling barely out of playoff contention, it would have been more advantageous for the Pacers to simply tank the season and lose enough games to increase their chances of securing at least a top four or five pick; however, that did not happen and fans in Indy will have to grit their teeth and watch teams such as the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111231223957836734952" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">+Minnesota </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Timberwolves</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111410703357000754962" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Los Ang</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">eles Lakers</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104029868095544588252" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">+Philadelphia </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">76ers</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117530429380139429277" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+New </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">York Knicks</span></a> walk away with a potential star player while they get left with whatever table scraps that are left behind. For Pacers fans, that has to hurt the most because just a year before their team was on top of the world and vying for an NBA championship, but now they find themselves wallowing at the bottom with little if anything to look forward to. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">To say that the future for the Pacers looks bleak is putting it mildly because even with Paul George back in the lineup and at full health, Indy is at at best a marginal playoff team capable of attaining the seventh or possibly the eighth seed which is not necessarily an achievement considering that they are in the Eastern Conference. With Lebron at the helm, the Cavs, short of an act of God, will most likely hold the Central Division crown for the next five to six years with the Bulls falling shortly behind leaving the Pacers to fight for third place against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115832581668320354874" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">+Milwaukee Bucks</span></a> and the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117740164364538373585" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Detroit</span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;"> Pistons</span></a> which is not an easy feat to say the least. Head coach <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/coaches/_/id/429/jason-kidd" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">Jason Kidd</span></a> has turned the Bucks from a team that won just 17 games in 2014 to an immediate playoff contender transforming it into one of the up and coming young teams in the league while <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/coaches/_/id/1639/stan-van-gundy" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">Stan </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Van Gundy</span></a>'s Pistons, although they finished last place, were just six games behind Indiana making them a potential threat next year. Unless something big happens in the off season, it looks as if the only place that the Pacers will be heading is down and Larry Bird will have no choice but to tear the current team down and rebuild it from scratch; however, will that go well with Paul George--a player who has been tabbed as the face of the franchise and may not be patient to have to look forward to a long and painful rebuild? Nonetheless, it will be a long off season and there will be plenty of time to prepare until opening tip off in November so hopefully the Pacers can get something done from now to then in order to at least stave of their eventual collapse. </span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-83340490644109559762015-06-01T09:47:00.004-04:002015-06-01T09:47:50.621-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 20. Utah Jazz<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAIYqUUKbYTdk9SNSGq-sZHmTNzhYS58xebo47P0M6A6gjbBMHb4vaokPuTf4dtK3EOffGR-3ZzoSotY7jTFnLwT_5Rm_mKCyIlxxHRWw3zpqlJbM5LC7F4wPNpOGtBk8jhum6pxVrKs/s1600/Utah+Jazz+logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAIYqUUKbYTdk9SNSGq-sZHmTNzhYS58xebo47P0M6A6gjbBMHb4vaokPuTf4dtK3EOffGR-3ZzoSotY7jTFnLwT_5Rm_mKCyIlxxHRWw3zpqlJbM5LC7F4wPNpOGtBk8jhum6pxVrKs/s1600/Utah+Jazz+logo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
Projection:</span><span style="font-size: large;"> 25-57, fourth place Northwest Division, fourteenth place Western
Conference</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual Finish:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">38-44,
third place Northwest Division, eleventh place Western Conference</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: x-large;">Projected<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;">27</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015 Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;"><span style="color: lime;">20</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
Statistics and League Rank</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 95.1 (26<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 94.9 (1<sup>st</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .447(19<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .446 (14<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FT%: .721 (26<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .343 (19<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 44.0 (11<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 39.2 (1<sup>st</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 14.2 (22<sup>nd</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 12.6 (23<sup>rd</sup>)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Individual
Statistical Leaders</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): Gordon Hayward (19.3)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: Rudy Gobert (9.5)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: Gordon Hayward (34.4)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: Trey Burke (4.3)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: Rudy Gobert (.604)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage: Jeremy Evans
(.830)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: Steve Novak (.485)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: Gordon Hayward (1.4)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: Rudy Gobert (2.3)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/coaches/_/id/52081/quin-snyder" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">Quin </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Snyder</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a Cinderella story for the ages: a young rookie coach with no prior experience takes a team in which the majority of players have yet to reach their 25th birthdays and despite missing the playoffs, manages to shatter the expectations of not only his fans, but those who had overlooked them. With the lack of both experience and maturity, the Utah Jazz were not even expect to reach 20 wins, let alone match the 28 they won last season; yet the team still managed to finish ten games ahead of their previous record while at the same time post impressive overall stats that would out-shadow even the most tested of veteran teams. In spite of finishing with a losing record, the Jazz managed to finish the regular season among the top teams in the league in points and rebounds allowed, while at the same time managed to outscore their opponents, albeit by a rather slim +.02 margin. Had they been in the Eastern Conference, they would have easily earned the seventh or eighth in the playoffs, but sadly they are in a heavily loaded Western Conference where 45 wins--which would have earned a team fifth place in the East--did not even manage to get in the door. Regardless, Utah fans must not only be ecstatic about their team's surprising finish, but also jumping out their seats with excitement as this team will only get better in time and if it continues to improve, return to the post season might come sooner rather than later.</span> </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Face to Forget: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104197004116494314761" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">+Dante</span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;"> Exum</span></a></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh-8sskm1btAN3IYeBHeST9el8vLk2rwnOfOy-c3-MaHl23c4PtItOTyhojFaeq5Yh0Q1fF0MR3QIbvMsC61N0MMoo29bgbIR6i7PMevfbFWv52-ylnLwSAh3ysAVCr8qhh4rCwZvqHM/s1600/dante+exum+nov+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh-8sskm1btAN3IYeBHeST9el8vLk2rwnOfOy-c3-MaHl23c4PtItOTyhojFaeq5Yh0Q1fF0MR3QIbvMsC61N0MMoo29bgbIR6i7PMevfbFWv52-ylnLwSAh3ysAVCr8qhh4rCwZvqHM/s1600/dante+exum+nov+2014.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So much was said about this young Australian kid that many had him in line to being possibly the next <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117441228511515339361" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Kobe</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"> Bryant</span></a>, which ultimately led him to being selected fifth overall in last summer's draft; however, as with the majority of his rookie class, Dante Exum fell well short of expectations. While many expected him to easily assimilate to the NBA style of plays because of his size, skills and superior basketball IQ, Dante seemed lost like a deer stuck in headlights and was unable to find any sense of rhythm and consistency as can be seen by his .349 field goal percentage. And it was not as if he was not given an opportunity to succeed as he was able to appear in all 82 games and even managed to play an average 22 minutes per game, which is quite impressive for a player just coming into the league; yet, all he managed to produce a meager 4.8 points and 2.6 assists per game making some speculate whether or not he will even remain in the league let alone become the star that many have anticipated him being. For now the safest response to Dante's less than earth shattering performance is that he is still a work in progress and at just 19 years old, he has plenty of time to evolve into a pretty decent player. Fortunately for him, Dante will not have the pressure to shoulder the burden of leading a team as that title has already been given to Gordon Hayward and all he has to do is provide solid role support to assure the Jazz continue to march upward toward legitimacy.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It almost seemed improbable to think that a sports team situated in the middle of nowhere, with little of no access to any media exposure, would end up becoming one of the most successful professional franchises in modern sports history; however, that has been the case for the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100541792472447759793" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #38761d; color: yellow;">+Utah </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Jazz</span></a> who for more than thirty years have defied all regular conventions and has become a model for building a winning organization. In spite of not being around a major metropolitan area with little or no access to the mainstream media, the Jazz have garnered as much, if not more exposure and acclaim than team that have such advantages rivaling such storied franchises as the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111410703357000754962" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Los Ang</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">eles Lakers</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117530429380139429277" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+New Yo</span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">rk Knicks</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113765985818267570365" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Chicago Bulls</span></a>, and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116274984352579031823" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">+Boston Celtics</span></a>. When even mentioning the Jazz in conversations, no one even points out that in having had 25 winning seasons in the past 31--16 of which they won 50 or more games and 14 in which they at least advanced past the first round of the playoffs--Utah did so without the good fortune of having the ability of attracting marquee free agents or the fact that two of the greatest players that have ever worn their uniform did not even get drafted in the top ten of their respective draft classes. Even when the Hall of fame duo of Stockton and Malone bid farewell to Salt Lake City thus ending an glorious era in not only Utah basketball but also in <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" target="_blank">+NBA</a> history, the Jazz still managed to bounce back after a falling out of playoff contention for three years, and rebuilt itself into a contender once again, and used the same formula they did before despite the hurdles they had to overcome; however, that era has proven to be short lived and now the Jazz and their fans find their legacy on the verge of being swallowed into the void of irrelevancy as smaller market teams like themselves are now in threat of being swept under the rug. 2015 was expected to be the end of not only a franchise, but an end of an era where even a small team like the Jazz could make a grand mark on the world stage as it was going to be the first chapter of a once noble franchise's fall to oblivion.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Not many gave the Jazz a chance as the team came into the 2015 regular season with a roster where the majority of the players were under the age of 25 with less than five years of experience and a rookie head coach whom no one had even heard of; however, what was supposed to be a wash of a season ended up to be one of the year's biggest and most pleasant surprises. Instead of allowing themselves to be rolled over by the rest of the league, this team of young adults actually competed giving even the best teams a run for their money thanks to their surprisingly mature and cohesive style of play as well as an even more remarkable performance on the defensive end that would even put some of the most hardened veteran teams to shame. Even though they did not make the playoffs, the Jazz, despite all their youth and inexperience, managed to defy all expectations finishing third place in their division behind the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102389125283549686273" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">+Portland </span><span style="background-color: #999999; color: red;">Trail Blazers</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #999999;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #999999;">City Thunder</span></a> and with a record of 38-44, would have earned the team a playoff berth had they been playing in the much weaker Eastern Conference. What made this season even more amazing was not just their record which blew away possibly even the most optimistic expectations from sports pundits, but the numbers that the team produced as whole where upon seeing them, would make many wonder how they did not manage to have a better record or make the playoffs in the first place. Not only did the Jazz finish the season among the league's top teams in points, rebounds, and field goal percentage allowed, but they also managed to outscore their opponents--albeit by a rather slim +0.02 margin; yet, in spite of such a strong showing, they neither managed to earn themselves a winning record or come near to making the playoffs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">From watching this team play, no one would have even fathomed that a group of twenty somethings would be able play with such focus and disciplined ball that it held NBA teams down to an average of under 95 points and forty rebounds per game as well as out-rebounding them by a plus five margin and holding them to a field goal percentage of under .450; yet in doing so, Utah proved to not only the league, but the world that news of its demise were completely overblown. In fact, with such a impressive performance, especially on the defensive end, this team will most certainly bounce back much faster than the majority of basketball fans, media, even the team itself had ever anticipated in their wildest dreams as the Jazz can no longer be considered as a lumbering dinosaur on the verge of extinction, but now can boast of being one of the league's up and coming teams with possibly the deepest treasure trove of under 25 talent in the league. With their young ages and the limitless high ceiling of each Utah Jazz player , given a year or two, they might just upset the balance of power in the Western Conference finally breaking the stranglehold of the few teams that have remained in the Western Conference Playoff picture which can best described as cruelly oppressive for the past few years. To witness a team so young connect so quickly and execute with such cohesion and discipline on both ends of the floor is almost as mind-boggling as the fact that this is the team who for more than three decade have defied the odds and so openly questioned conventional basketball wisdom where successful teams has to come from large and more lucrative markets. By putting forth such an impressive performance, Utah has once again put itself in a place where they can bring itself back into the spotlight thus silencing their critics and doubters.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">To prove how stacked with young talent this Jazz team is, one can point out how it simply traded away <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115470481057893624164" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #999999;">+Enes </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #999999;">Kanter</span></a>, a player that many see to be potentially a future All Star, to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">City Thunder</span></a> for nothing more than a couple of garbage players, a future first round pick that would at best be in the late twenties, and a veteran in which they later waived. Kanter was selected third overall in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NBA_draft" target="_blank">2011 NBA Draft</a> and over the past four years had been developing into a rather impressive player as can be seen by the steady improvement of his numbers; however, in spite of that, Kanter's minutes were being squeezed thanks to the presence of equally talented teammates <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116848875234151614296" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">+Derrick </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Favors</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108237998611866820596" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">+Rudy </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Gobert</span></a> which frustrated him to a point of demanding a trade. The Jazz were more than happy to oblige with Kanter's demand sending him over to Oklahoma City without a second thought and he would go on to put on a career performance posting an average of 19 points and 11 boards in the 26 games he playing in OKC; however, that did not phase the Jazz one bit as Kanter's replacement in the starting lineup, Rudy Gobert, would go on to finish the regular season with 8 points, nearly 10 rebounds, and over two blocks per game in just over 26 minutes of playing time. Although many criticized letting go of Kanter for so little in return after finishing so strongly in the Thunder, Gobert might prove to be just as good if not better than Kanter as can be seen by his continual growth over the course of the season to the point where in the last two months he was averaging a double double in points and rebounds while blocking over two shots per game. That is just one example of how bottomless the depths of the talent in Utah's roster and how limitless high their players' ceilings are and as time passes there will be even more controversies such as the Kanter affair if rookie Dante Exum progresses to develop and take minutes away from <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109280459237870054975" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">+Trey </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Burke</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115493342835274056013" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">+Alec</span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;"> Burks</span></a>, who are currently ahead of him on the roster chart; however, with such a luxury of having such a wealth of talent, do not expect the Jazz's coaching staff or its front office to worry about it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">With so much talent that has yet to reach its full potential and from what the players have shown thus far with their overall discipline, defensive intensity and solid offensive execution, it will not be a matter of if the Jazz will overtake on of these teams, but only a matter of when as Utah looks to return to prominence once again as on of the Western Conference's elites and that time may come sooner rather than later. Right now no one has yet to pay attention to the Jazz since most of it has been spent on focusing on teams such as the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117072717171084573790" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: yellow;">+Golden </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue;">State Warriors</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104651471522091388043" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Houston Rockets</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100429518756699636111" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: red;">+Los Ange</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">les Clippers</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108331419083422256676" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Memphis</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: yellow;"> Grizzlies</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107197977601900902096" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Dallas </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Mavericks</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102389125283549686273" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">+Portland T</span><span style="background-color: #444444; color: red;">rail Blazers</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/105765705498074909292" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #999999; color: black;">+San Ant</span><span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;">onio Spurs</span></a> since they currently hold the balance of power in the Western Conference; however, no team can afford to sleep on the Jazz, especially the Blazers and the Thunder--two team who have essentially owned the Northwest Division for the past three or four years. This team is too simply good to be underestimated and it might just pull off an equally implausible performance as the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104597453028172833211" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">+Atlanta </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: red;">Hawks</span></a> did this past season; however, unlike Atlanta, Utah has far more talented players who have a far higher upside. Many had the Jazz pushing up daisies when legendary head coach <a href="https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDMQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FJerry_Sloan&ei=DmBsVdfVNc2YyASF7oCoBQ&usg=AFQjCNG-Q3_cb50G2xM8o9gI5Rv3UnUKsg&sig2=vOoV_PDYU5xuxlO3_F01DA&bvm=bv.94455598,d.aWw" target="_blank">Jerry Sloan</a> resigned after over a quarter century of service four years ago, but it seems that the team has potentially found a new coaching legend in Quin Snyder--someone who virtually flew under the radar and turned about of raw, green behind the ear whipper snappers into one of the league's fast rising teams. After this season, the next one will certainly be one of excitement for Jazz fans as they enter a new era with such hope for the future and once again prove to the world that an NBA team does not need to be in a big market of it wants any chance at a championship. </span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-87129080030511550262015-05-28T16:37:00.001-04:002015-05-28T16:40:34.438-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 21. Miami HEAT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
Projection:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">50-32, first place Southeast Division, third place Eastern
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual Finish:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">37-45,
third place Southeast Division, tenth place Eastern Conference</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: x-large;">Projected<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;">5</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015
Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;"><span style="color: red;">21</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
Statistics and League Rank</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 94.7 (24<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 97.3 (6<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .456 (11<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .454 (19<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FT%: .741 (22<sup>nd</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .335 (24<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 39.1 (30<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 41.0 (2<sup>nd</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 13.9 (19<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 14.1 (11<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Individual
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1987/dwyane-wade" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">Dwyane </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">Wade</span></a> (21.5)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4262/hassan-whiteside" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">Hassan </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">Whiteside</span></a> (10.0)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1977/chris-bosh" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">Chris </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">Bosh</span></a> (35.4)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: Dwyane Wade (4.1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: Hassan Whiteside (.628)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2579321/james-ennis" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">James </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">Ennis</span></a> (.840) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: Chris Bosh (.375)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3419/mario-chalmers" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">Mario </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">Chalmers</span></a> (1.5)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: Hassan Whiteside (2.6)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112205702914674503603" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Hassan </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">Whiteside</span></a></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznOyFKw2bLFS_VMPy6mHBL02DmTT_ooKrM5WmR-sXD_WSy3ytUdwJdqVLi5TbDTav6Ir3mtaLm6f_0cot5ULDEUzgA4ZwRFQKqT0aZkHqIhgebCFdsgKBTnjEnPXba424PO8krYCtEEo/s1600/hassan+whiteside+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznOyFKw2bLFS_VMPy6mHBL02DmTT_ooKrM5WmR-sXD_WSy3ytUdwJdqVLi5TbDTav6Ir3mtaLm6f_0cot5ULDEUzgA4ZwRFQKqT0aZkHqIhgebCFdsgKBTnjEnPXba424PO8krYCtEEo/s1600/hassan+whiteside+2015.jpg" width="376" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">For Miami Heat fans, despite their team's sharp fall from grace, there was a small glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel as this has been the year of <b><span style="color: red;">In-Hassan-ity</span></b>. Similar to the Cinderella story that captured the attention of the sporting world three years ago, Hassan Whiteside came from relative obscurity--drafted in the second round five years ago, he had spent his career bouncing from team to team in brief stint while spending the rest languishing in the D-League. That all changed when Miami, out of sheer desperation, decided to take a chance on this young unknown journeyman to replace fallen star <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102163366179649195620" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Chris</span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;"> Bosh</span></a> in the starting lineup and thus a legend was born!! Like Jeremy Lin before him, Hassan completely blindsided not only the NBA, but the sporting world as he wowed fans in the sporting world averaging 11 points, 10 boards, and three blocks in 48 games; however, unlike Lin, he did not nearly get as much attention, possibly because he was a seven foot black man instead of a 6'3" Chinese American. Nonetheless, his performance will certainly garner the attention of numerous NBA teams and he will certainly gain a substantial pay raise from the 749$ thousand he received once he becomes a unrestricted free agent. He may not have ascended to the meteoric rise as Lin did, which even he would say is not necessarily a bad thing considering what happened to him afterwards; however, his come out of nowhere performance should be considered one for the ages.</span> </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Face to Forget: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100892500100144569705" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Dwyane</span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;"> Wade</span></a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirG9hhAUoCdMsEzqsZZVyxJFcb3cptDFEx5HrFidv_0IUQ8271vZTlAUU63fe0-3qIRMmNkzRn-LTjNLmU1M0kcz92VRrM1pugdyF1ys7ZnM4bStP-FMrFagY6iUYSzM-EzkDJXDsKwSo/s1600/dwyane+wade+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirG9hhAUoCdMsEzqsZZVyxJFcb3cptDFEx5HrFidv_0IUQ8271vZTlAUU63fe0-3qIRMmNkzRn-LTjNLmU1M0kcz92VRrM1pugdyF1ys7ZnM4bStP-FMrFagY6iUYSzM-EzkDJXDsKwSo/s1600/dwyane+wade+2015.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: large;">Years ago he was put up at the same pedestal as <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108142043942572558226" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Michael </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Jordan</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117441228511515339361" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Kobe Bryant</span></a> as one of the most dynamic and explosive superstars in the league; however, after years of injuries and being ravaged by father time, his superstar status has all but faded. He can longer carry a team and upon closer dissection of his career it has become quite apparent that he was never able to do so either, even in his younger day. Much of his most glorious moment came from riding the coat tails of either <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112850959679292669747" target="_blank">+Shaquille O'Neal</a> or <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116177499528246685421" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+LeBron</span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;"> James</span></a> and when he was left on his own, both him and his team were mediocre at best. At 33 years old, he has all but exhausted his prime years and is headed towards the downturn of his career; yet, both he and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102163366179649195620" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Chris</span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;"> Bosh</span></a>--two players who were never able to carry a team father than being merely marginal at best--were expected to carry on the mantle and continue the legacy that Lebron had left behind. Sadly, they both fell dreadfully short of expectations with Bosh falling to injury mid-season while Wade hobbled on the court trying his best not to fall apart leading the Heat as well as Miami fans crashing hard to reality. Now that the dust has settle, it has become blatantly apparent that Wade is now a dinosaur--a relic from a past age--and is simply living off borrowed time while his decline acts as a anchor to any future ambitions.</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116177499528246685421" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+LeBron </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">James</span></a> era has ended and it had brought the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116388234061758143958" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Miami </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">HEAT</span></a> four straight NBA Finals appearances and two NBA Championship Titles, and now fans in South Florida now have to deal with the reality that not only have their championship aspirations have all but ended, but also that they will we the man who brought them such glory do that with another team. Nonetheless Heat President Pat Riley went out of his way to ensure that his team will not end up in the same state he left the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100683165118349235829" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Cleveland </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Cavaliers</span></a> when he took Lebron away in the first place so he went about filling that rather massive void immeadeatly in the off season. He first started by re-signing the two other cornerstones of his championship dynasty <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100892500100144569705" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Dwyane </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">Wade</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102163366179649195620" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Chris</span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;"> Bosh</span></a>, then he faced he his greatest challenge--to find a player to replace possibly one of the greatest to have ever played to the game--and he did so, by getting the next best thing. <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106963151587728888611" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Loul </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">Deng</span></a> already had extensive experience guarding Lebron when he played with the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113765985818267570365" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Chicago Bulls</span></a> and has built quite a reputation for himself earning two All Star Selections and All Defensive Second Team Honors in 2012 thus making him an excellent substitute for a player in James--who will probably forever stay in the hearts and minds of Miami fans. With the new addition of Deng plus the return of all the players of the past four years, the Heat looked as they can give Lebron and company a run for their money, possibly contend for the Eastern Conference title, or at worse win their Southeast Division. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Unfortunately, for both Riley and the Heat, it was quite evident that four straight NBA Finals appearances had really its toll on the team as Miami came out of the gates looking very sluggish, tired and worn down as they finished the first month of the season at 9-7; however, there were no real red flags waving and many believed that the HEAT, with its experience and skill would improve its performance over time. Unfortunately, that did not happen as the fatigue noticeably set and with each passing Miami slowly slipped lower in the standings and instead of leading leading pack, Miami found itself in a place where the players and fans had not been in quite some time--on the outside looking in and scrapping for survival. Miami's season really came to a head in February when it was announced that Chris Bosh would sit out the rest of the season due to blood clots in his lungs (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12360066/miami-heat-star-chris-bosh-miss-rest-season-due-blood-clots-lung" target="_blank">2/15/2015</a>) leaving an aging and weary Dwyane Wade to shoulder the bulk of the scoring burden. At 33 years old, not only was Wade in severe decline as his abilities and athleticism deteriorated with each game, but many Heat fans were probably also in denial thinking that he could still carry this team on his own; however, it proved to be a fantasy as he showed that he was completely unable to carry out such an undertaking. Sure, he did have flashes of greatness, but his performances went up and down with each passing month plus it did not help either that he missed 20 games leaving his teammates to essentially fend for themselves, especially during late in the season when they needed him the most.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So with their two star players out for most of the season, Miami certainly had trouble finding someone to consistently put the ball into the hoop resulting in the Heat finishing the season near to last place in the league in scoring although they still managed to still shoot at a rather efficient clip at .456 from the field; however, despite its best efforts, the teams still remained two steps behind their opponents. The fatigue from pushing themselves so hard certainly showed on the defensive end when they fell from being one of the top teams at forcing turnovers to falling to the middle of the pack at 11th, and even though they kept their opponents' scores low, it was not enough as they allowed them not only to shoot almost as well they did, but also allowed their opponents to out-rebound them as well. Over the past four seasons, Miami's rather poor rebounding performance was mainly offset by the fact that the team not only shoot very well thanks to getting easy transition baskets thanks to forcing turnovers, but the fact that no opposing team was able to even set up its offensive sets because the Heat simply did not allow them to do it. Unfortunately, the Heat no longer possessed the same defensive intensity which made it so easy to force turnovers and get quick and easy baskets making their rather invisible presence on the boards more prevalent thus allowing opponents to push past them despite the team's best efforts to hold them back. Plus, in addition of doing their best on the defensive end only to fall short at the end of most games and their rather poor performance on the glass, there was one major factor that essentially doomed the Miami Heat's season which the team had virtually no control over--primarily because he was now playing for the Cleveland Cavs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It is almost shocking to see how much of an impact that missing Lebron had on that team because seeing the Heat play now compared to when they played with him in the lineup is almost like night and day because with Lebron, the team was almost unstoppable whereas now, it is almost as if the life got sucked out of the Heat leaving it a hollow husk. And it was not just Lebron's intimidating presence which allowed him to push aside anyone that dared step in his way to score or tried in vain to box him out to grab rebounds, it was also his ability to push his teammates to get the best out of them by getting them involved, utilizing their strengths to their maximum potential, while at the same commanding their absolute respect. Lebron was not just the team's leader in scoring, assists, rebounding and every other statistic, but also like a general on a court who not only executed the coach will from the sidelines, but also devised his own strategies while leading his soldiers to battle--similar to the great storied warriors of ancient times, Lebron is a legend by almost mythical proportions. Once he had bid farewell to South Beach choosing to return to his kingdom in Cleveland, the magic went with him and the once great godlike titans that stood beside him as equals reverted to mere mortals reducing this once omnipotent and infallible force known as the Miami Heat into a shadow of its former self. Fortunately for both the Heat players as well as its fans, they can hold solace in the fact that they did not suffer the same indignity and devastation those that those in Cleveland had suffered when he originally decided to cast off his shackles, break his ties with the state that he has called home his entire life, jump ship to the South, and in turn destroyed not only the emotional, but the socioeconomic fabric of the city and its people.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Although the team failed to retain its once revered status and remain a strong force in the league, at least the Miami Heat managed to do what the Cavs could not--survive the fallout of having possibly the greatest player that has ever put on their uniform and walk on their home court abandon it. Although the Heat failed to make the playoffs, the team managed to remain somewhat respectable and unlike the Cavaliers who simply collapsed on itself, managed to stay strong, remain competitive and fight for a post season berth until the very end. It is almost a certainty that the city Miami, its citizens and their NBA franchise will NEVER experience the grandeur and glory that they had enjoyed for the past four years, but at least they were able salvage the wreckage from the ruins and still be able to stand tall proud with their heads high. Although many would consider this past season as a disappointment and failure because the Heat failed to maintain its stature as one of the league's elite teams, it should be also be considered quite a success because it still managed to remain one of the top defensive teams in the league while at the same time showing the world that they will never back down, even when the chips are down. So expect the Heat to bounce back a far stronger and better team than they were last season as they still have the tools to remain successful in the NBA and quickly return as a perennial playoff contender. </span> <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-33607874656366810402015-05-26T12:27:00.000-04:002015-05-26T12:27:17.396-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 22. Charlotte Hornets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
Projection:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">45-37, third place Southeast Division, sixth place Eastern
Conference </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual Finish:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">33-49,
fourth place Southeast Division, eleventh place Eastern Conference</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: x-large;">Projected<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;">14</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015
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<span style="color: red; font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;">22</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 94.2 (28<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 97.3 (7<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .420 (29<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .440 (8<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FT%: .748 (19<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .318 (30<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 44.1 (10<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 44.1(21<sup>st</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 11.2 (1<sup>st</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 12.0 (27<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Individual
Statistical Leaders</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6479/kemba-walker" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Kemba </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Walker</span></a> (17.3)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2389/al-jefferson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Al </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Jefferson</span></a> (8.4)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: Kemba Walker (34.1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: Kemba Walker (5.1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6427/bismack-biyombo" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Bismack </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Biyombo</span></a> (.543)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage<i>: </i><a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2178/mo-williams" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Mo </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Williams</span></a> (.890)<i> </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2579258/cody-zeller" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Cody </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Zeller</span></a> (1.00)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: Kemba Walker (1.4)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: Bismack Biyombo (1.5)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112093243462247226504" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Cody </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Zeller</span></a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last season Cody Zeller was seen as a an outright bust after being selected fourth overall in the 2013 NBA Draft and made such a weak impression with a rather pedestrian rookie season (6.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, .426 FG%); however this season, Zeller came back more confident and in instances showed why he was so highly touted as an NBA draft prospect. Although his 7.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game do not look that much apart from his rookie season, his field goal percentage rose significantly to .461 and he even had a chance to start 45 of the 62 games that he played. He certainly hit his stride in the first week in March where he posted 12.4 points, grabbed 7.4 boards and shot .611 from the field in the first five games--all of which his team won; however sadly the streak ended on a sour note as he fell to injury and failed to finish up the regular season. Nonetheless, that small sample size in March proved that given time and touches, Zeller would certainly pose as a formidable foe in the paint and might just possibly become the Hornets new go to guy in the post once current starter Al Jefferson's contract expires and the end of next season. </span> </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Face to Forget: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4244/lance-stephenson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Lance </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Stephenson</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdyzl80jZL1eYFXKAdx-Z2BlAByFnCtnK5dBC67CoktochszF1n7UGFnbqG2T0qCMrcnaTWdmes-3DsXkiay_L197AXXf1roStX_X8zZ5qcdZ5wtMkIVGHkIlM3uR60So8thhOAOcAQg/s1600/lance+stephenson+november+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdyzl80jZL1eYFXKAdx-Z2BlAByFnCtnK5dBC67CoktochszF1n7UGFnbqG2T0qCMrcnaTWdmes-3DsXkiay_L197AXXf1roStX_X8zZ5qcdZ5wtMkIVGHkIlM3uR60So8thhOAOcAQg/s1600/lance+stephenson+november+2014.jpg" width="414" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After coming in with so much hype and anticipation, Lance Stephenson has to be considered as the most disappointing story-line of the 2015 NBA season as he came into Charlotte an up and coming star, but ended up a complete disgrace in the eyes of his supporters and fans. Many applauded Stephenson's decision to decline the rather stingy offer that </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107186556217214438380" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Indiana</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Pacers</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> boss </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101508053598900888727" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Larry</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Bird</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> gave him after he had such an amazing season helping Indy to reach first place in the East while leading the team to the Conference Finals in which they would be eventually beaten by the </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116388234061758143958" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Miami </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">HEAT</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. His signing with Charlotte for fewer years and at less money was seen as a middle finger to both Bird and the Pacers organization as he looked to prove that he was deserving of an equally lucrative contract that his former teammate Paul George had receive; however, sad to say that his plan became quite awry when he came in looking out of sync and completely contrary to the confident young stud that led his team in assists, rebounds, and field goal percentage the season prior. His once strong shooting stroke suffered drastically as he slowly became less of a factor with every passing game in the regular season to a point where he went from being a starter to almost slipping completely out of the roster rotation. Now with the season over, his future in the Queen City looks rather bleak as he had not only himself, but those who gambled on him--namely owner </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108142043942572558226" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Michael</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;"> Jordan</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> and his right hand man Rich Cho--look like complete fools</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and may find himself and his market value plummet the same way his team did this season falling out of playoff contention.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-large;">After years of struggling to find its footing in both the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" target="_blank">+NBA</a> and the public, it looked as if a new era of professional basketball was about to emerge in the city of Charlotte North Carolina as not only did the team finished well in 2014 making the playoffs, but also entered 2015 with a new look and a stronger roster. Actually, to be accurate, it was more of a repossessed look as team owner <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108142043942572558226" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Michael</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;"> Jordan</span></a> decided, in his own words, to "bring the 'buzz' back," and renamed it the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117085501640270338175" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background-color: purple;">+Charlotte</span><span style="background-color: #666666;"> Hornets</span></span></a>, after the original NBA franchise which broke the hearts of its fans, moved further South and became the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101477619738648074996" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: red;">+New Orle</span><span style="background-color: #7f6000; color: red;">ans Pelicans</span></a>. Although this was an obvious publicity stunt and marketing ploy, it seemed suitable for fans to see the name of their past franchise because they never assimilated themselves neither to the Bobcats brand or the orange and navy blue color scheme which seemed to clash with their collective tastes. Jordan's primary henchman and right hand man <a href="http://www.ask.com/wiki/Rich_Cho" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Rich</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;"> Cho</span></a>, also went to work strengthening the team from the inside adding more depth to the roster with his most important being locking up one of the most prized free agents at the time, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/110947455148010717112" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Lance </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Stephenson</span></a>--a player who felt spurned by his former team, the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107186556217214438380" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Indiana </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Pacers</span></a>, when the team's boss <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101508053598900888727" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Larry</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Bird</span></a> offered a contract extension far lower than he expect and went to Charlotte to prove his doubters wrong. Along with the additions of sharp shooting stretch four <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2797/marvin-williams" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Marvin </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Williams</span></a>, highly touted rookies <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106893215985558829152" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+PJ </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Hairston</span></a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3078284/noah-vonleh" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Noah </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Vonleh</span></a>, as well as former <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/105765705498074909292" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">+San Ant</span><span style="background-color: #999999; color: black;">onio Spurs</span></a> point guard Gary Neal--a player with three NBA titles to his credit--the Hornets looked to be a team on the rise and not only return to the playoffs, but also contend very heatedly for the Southeast Division title against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117695609606775635474" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">+Washington</span><span style="background-color: red; color: blue;"> Wizards</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104597453028172833211" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">+Atlanta</span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: red;"> Hawks</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116388234061758143958" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Miami </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">HEAT</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Unfortunately upon opening tip off everything become completely unraveled as the team came out of the gates completely out of sync which resulted into the team that was once believed to on the rise becoming a complete embarrassment winning eleven less games and missing the playoffs. Both Jordan and Cho must have wanted to crawl under the nearest rock once they saw their best laid plans crumble right in front of them as Marvin Williams, who was paid 7$ million per year for three years, became an absolute bust while both rookies Vonleh and Hairston failed to make any impact whatsoever as the played a combined 70 games only producing 8.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game; however their biggest shame came in the form of their greatest hope. Lance Stephenson was supposed to be their "ace in the hole," as he came off a career season in 2014 not only finishing as the second leading scorer for the Pacers, but also the team's top assist man with 5.5 per game, second leading rebounder with 7.3, and most accurate shooter with a .491 field goal percentage; however, upon arriving to Charlotte, that all disappeared. Upon opening tip off Stephenson's shooting proficiency completely disappeared while his defense, and despite showing flashes of the solid rebounding and passing that he gave in Indiana, he still remained a fraction of his former self leading many to believe that he was not the prized stud that many in the media propped him up as being. Throughout the course of the season, it seemed as if "<a href="http://www.ask.com/wiki/Murphy's_law" target="_blank">Murphy's Law</a>" had hit the Charlotte Hornets and their fans as everything that could have gone wrong did leaving both Charlotte deflated and discouraged and both Jordan's and Cho's faces red with embarrassment.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">What makes reliving this disgrace of a season even more painful was the fact that this team had most, if not all of the same roster from the previous year and came in deeper, not only in terms of talent but also post season experience as Williams, Stephenson, and Neal spent much of careers as big time contributors in the playoffs. One would think that such extensive winning resumes along with their distinct skill sets could bring some much needed leadership to a young group of up and comers who just had a small taste of winning and had their mouths watering for more; however, those three proved to be pretty useless as they seemed even more clueless than the younger players who were looking to them for support and guidance. That was certainly the case with Marvin Williams, the ten year veteran who had been originally tabbed by head coach <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/coaches/_/id/6801/steve-clifford" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Steve </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Clifford</span></a> as the team's starting power-forward coming into the season, but was quickly pulled out due to his minimal offensive production (7.4 ppg, .424 FG%) and his equally terrible presence on the defensive glass (just 4.9 per game in 26 minutes of playing time. Williams was supposed to be the perfect complimentary role player that was supposed to fit in seemingly into the team while quite offering veteran leadership and wisdom in the team's front court while <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4300/gary-neal" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">Gary </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Neal</span></a> was brought in to do the same in the back court supporting the team's rising star point guard <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100345156605771133552" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Kemba </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Walker</span></a>; however, both would miss the mark as Williams' role diminished as the season passed and Neal was then eventually traded to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111231223957836734952" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">+Minnesota </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Timberwolves</span></a> for another veteran, Mo Williams who proved to be a far better scorer than Neal, yet not good enough to lead the team to the playoffs. </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Stephenson had to be the biggest disappointment out of all those players since he had both the most to gain and the most to lose as he gave up to 45$ million to prove not only Bird and the Pacers, but the world that he was worth a superstar's salary; however, along with his shooting touch, he also lost the most important facet of his game--his confidence. At first, it did not seem as bad when he fell into that shooting stroke because he compensated for that with his passing, rebounds, and energy; however, with each passing game even that went into decline and it did not take long for him to be supplanted in the starting lineup by <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3993/gerald-henderson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Gerald </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Henderson</span></a>--a player who was expected to be on his way out upon Stephenson's arrival. Nonetheless, his supporters, as well as Larry Bird's detractors, hope that this past season was just an aberration--a small bump in the road of what will be an otherwise a long and fruitful career--and that he will return to the form in which he wowed not only his fans in Indiana, but also made him a virtual household name. At just 24 years old and in only his fourth season in the league, Stephenson is not near reaching his peak as player and hopefully he will write off this past season as a learning experience, figure out where he needs to adjust his game and move on from there because he simply too talented and has too many intangibles to allow one season to ruin his value as a player. After finishing the first of what can be considered a less than satisfying season, Stephenson has two more left to show not only fans in Indiana and Charlotte, but also the world that he is truly an elite caliber player in which one--not the NBA, not the fans, not even Larry Bird--can no longer just simply underestimate and ignore.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">If worst comes to worse and Stephenson is not capable of returning to his 2014 form, then it will not be too much of a loss for the Hornets since they can easily unload his contract if they need to as it has just two seasons left with the last year being a player option so they can easily trade it during the off season or they can even waive him at the end of next season. The same can be said for Marvin Williams who basically has just two years and 14$ million left so both Jordan and Cho can breathe a slight sigh of relief as their two gambles will not cost them long term; plus, in spite of the team's disappointing finish, the Charlotte Hornets still has plenty going for it with its young roster as well as cap flexibility and can easily bounce back to playoff contention next season. Despite its less than desired result not making the playoffs, Charlotte finished 2015 among the league's top defensive teams as the Hornets ranked among the top ten teams in points allowed, opponents' field goal percentage and rebounding thus showing that there is still something worth salvaging on this team; however, defense is as only as good as the offense that comes from it and for the Hornets, that was their primary weakness. If Charlotte wants to return to the post season, the team will have to find a way to generate offense from all the hard work they put on the defensive end because it will all be for naught if they can hold their opponents to 97 points per game and .440 shooting if they can only score just 95 and shoot .420 from the field. At least fans in Charlotte can hold solace in the fact that their team has just that one missing ingredient and once that is finally added, then they can get back onto winning, returning to the playoff, and bringing back the NBA spotlight to a city that has missed it for so long. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-45358749089579626912015-05-22T14:28:00.004-04:002015-05-22T14:28:53.194-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 23. Detroit Pistons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
Projection:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">38-44, fourth place Central Division, tenth place Eastern
Conference </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual Finish:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">32-50,
fifth place Central Division, twelfth place Eastern Conference</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: x-large;">Projected<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015 Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;">21</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015
Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;"><span style="color: red;">23</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
Statistics and League Rank</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 98.5 (18<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 99.5 (14<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .432 (27<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .456 (21<sup>st</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FT%: .703 (29<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .344 (18<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 44.9(4<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 44.1(20<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 12.6 (7th)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 13.4 (18<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Individual
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4260/greg-monroe" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">Greg</span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;"> Monroe</span></a> (15.9)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6585/andre-drummond" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">Andre </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Drummond</span></a> (13.5)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6443/reggie-jackson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">Reggie </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Jackson</span></a> (32.2)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3997/brandon-jennings" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">Brandon</span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;"> Jennings </span></a>(6.6)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3247/joel-anthony" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">Joel </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Anthony</span></a> (.581)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4003/jodie-meeks" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">Jodie </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Meeks</span></a> (.910)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1724/tayshaun-prince" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">Tayshaun </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Prince</span></a>(.423)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: Greg Monroe (1.1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: Andre Drummond (1.9)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: Reggie Jackson</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFwB5N5GLoHlRCbow0-NIMuEVsaqs-2mNwSf4Grlu40Q_lGF5uTEVYdilEg6xPdVIIXCkCTtlPuSDn5CGznWZ6z9wdDnB14_z-yUvD2ayVotdyPr8efWIfwoTzcvGg4k_GwkaefWDZkU/s1600/reggie+jackson+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFwB5N5GLoHlRCbow0-NIMuEVsaqs-2mNwSf4Grlu40Q_lGF5uTEVYdilEg6xPdVIIXCkCTtlPuSDn5CGznWZ6z9wdDnB14_z-yUvD2ayVotdyPr8efWIfwoTzcvGg4k_GwkaefWDZkU/s1600/reggie+jackson+2015.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last season was a coming out party for Reggie Jackson as he exploded in November leading the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">City Thunder</span></a> in both scoring (19.5ppg) and assists (7.5) while the team's two stars, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106768208783344578674" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Russell </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">Westbrook</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109100387196495436622" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Kevin </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">Durant</span></a> were hobbled by injuries; however, once the two came up and running, Jackson's role was then severely reduced which resulted in him wanting to break free from OKC and ascend from mere role-player to a future star. He finally got that chance in February when he got traded to Detroit and it was like his spark from earlier in the season as he was given the freedom that he yearned for returning to his explosive way scoring the basket and taking full reins of his team on the court. In his month and a half stint in the Motor City, Jackson was a virtual superstar averaging close to 18 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds per game finally giving Pistons fans something to cheer after suffering such an abysmal season that fell well short of expectations. With two more years left on his rookie contract, there is no doubt that coach/GM Stan Van Gundy will definitely be on the phone with Jackson's agent to make sure he can lock this star in the making who will most certainly bring Detroit Pistons' basketball back into the spotlight. Similar to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104651471522091388043" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Houston Rockets</span></a>' <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/114320878080476150373" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+James Harden</span></a>, Jackson grew to big for his britches in Oklahoma City and needed to spread his wings or else be suffocated and smothered by the immense presences of Westbrook and Durant which gives credence to the idea that the Thunder is a team where stars are made, but in order to become that, they will have to leave the team.</span> </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Face to Forget: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/105716425945734880393" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Brandon </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Jennings</span></a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R2LT5pzy9KfFC6dAikivEcuzGqMEInPr3NsCd146qStlGfE0WH7_5m9QaOdgYsh30yzhahtER84pLuhNMAf2n4cXhMjK0SY6eG4yxgv-xEP4y0iiSZDoQ9BCdmYdgrMzMgKQVXX93y8/s1600/brandon+jennings+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R2LT5pzy9KfFC6dAikivEcuzGqMEInPr3NsCd146qStlGfE0WH7_5m9QaOdgYsh30yzhahtER84pLuhNMAf2n4cXhMjK0SY6eG4yxgv-xEP4y0iiSZDoQ9BCdmYdgrMzMgKQVXX93y8/s1600/brandon+jennings+2015.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Years ago Brandon Jennings was viewed as an up and coming young star on the rise, yet at the same time as quite the enigma because although he had all the tools--the skill, speed, and athleticism--to become one of the league's greatest point guards, but only showed just small glimpses of the player that all who watched him hoped that he would become. Unfortunately it seems as if time has run out for Jennings as both his luster and his reputation of being one of the league's top young talents have finally rubbed off and what we are left with is a shallow and empty husk of a player whose time in the limelight has finally passed. Last season, former team president, Joe Dumars, tabbed Jennings as the team's point guard of the future when he brought him over from the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115832581668320354874" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">+Milwaukee Bucks</span></a> in a sign and trade deal and many saw this as the perfect opportunity for Jennings to finally step up and finally become the star that many who followed him hoped he would be. Yet alas, over the past two years no fruit has bared from his arrival as it seems that at just the tender age of 25 years old, Brandon Jennings has fallen from grace and with next season being his last in the Motor City or possibly anywhere else for that matter. He has been such a disappointment to so many people and with the arrival of Reggie Jackson, it seems as if the writing is clearly on the wall unless by some miracle he bounces back with a phenomenal season next year, he will be out of Detroit and out of the sight and minds of basketball finds everywhere. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Basketball in the Motor City has basically set in neutral for the past six years after eight year period of post season glory that included two trips to the NBA Finals; however, after an overhaul of the team's front office which included the exit of former GM Joe Dumars and the arrival of new coach and GM Stan Van Gundy, fans in Detroit finally had hope that their team will turn on the ignition once again. Stan Van had never managed a roster as he usually worked with he had doing rather well to say the least as he brought both Florida teams--namely the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116388234061758143958" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Miami </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">HEAT</span></a> and the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/114142060222176373436" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Orlando </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Magic</span></a>--both to the playoffs with one appearance to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NBA_Finals" target="_blank">2011 NBA Finals</a> where his Magic would lose to the eventual champion <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111410703357000754962" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Los Ang</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">eles Lakers</span></a> four games to one. Van Gundy gave the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117740164364538373585" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Detroit </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Pistons</span></a> and their fans what they have been lacking for years--a tough defensive minded coach whose attention to detail and focus on excellence and accountability would be a welcomed breath of fresh air; however, it would not only his coaching that he will be judged, but also his ability to build another championship caliber team. Unfortunately his predecessor did not leave him much to worth save for two top rated big men in <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101222473501830443832" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Greg </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Monroe</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104581822679501888400" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Andre </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Drummond</span></a>, an elite caliber athlete in Josh Smith, plus a point guard that had yet to live up to his billing as an elite caliber point guard in <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/105716425945734880393" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Brandon </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Jennings</span></a>. Nonetheless hopes were still high that Van Gundy would somehow bring things all together and the Pistons will bounce back after years of spinning their tires in the mud going nowhere and finally get out of the mud pit that Dumars got them into the first; however, it proved harder than many had ever expected.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The first two months were rocky at best as the Pistons won just eight games by the end of 2014 thus causing coach GM to take drastic measures which led to him making probably the most questionable personnel move in the 2015 NBA Regular Season as he he waived Josh Smith and buying out the remaining 27$ million of his contract. There is no question that Josh Smith's arrival to Detroit was not necessarily a "slam dunk"as his offensive production and efficiency, but regardless, that decline did not deserve such a rash and extreme measure because he was not a team parriah or completely worthless on the trade market--in fact it was the complete opposite. Despite his inability to mesh in the Pistons, Josh Smith was still considered as one of the premier athletes in the NBA, plus at the age of 29 along with his ability to score in transition as well his defensive prowess as a rebounder and shot blocked, given time Van Gundy could have found a viable trade partner; instead, he simply let Smith go--a player who has yet to even hit his prime--paying out around 7$ million for the next four years, receiving nothing in return. Smith went on to be picked up off waiver by the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104651471522091388043" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Houston Rockets</span></a> where not only would he and the team would finish second overall in the Western Conference and be playing in the Conference Finals against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117072717171084573790" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: yellow;">+Golden St</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue;">ate Warriors</span></a>, but he would still be paid by Pistons for doing it. To add insult to injury, over the course of the next three seasons while the Piston continue to struggling to find the right mix, in they might certainly do, the team will still be paying Josh Smith not only win for other teams, but also possible be eligible to receive an equally lucrative deal compounded upon that as well since he will be entering free agency once the Rockets' playoff run ends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Pistons fans will argue until they are blue in the face justifying what the majority of common sense individuals will consider one of most stupid and illogical player transaction in possibly the history of sports claiming that Smith never fit in with the team and his departure opens up a piddling 8$ million cap exemption in which the Van Gundy can use to sign second or third tier free agent. Even <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/author/kelly-dwyer/" target="_blank">Kelly Dwyer</a> of <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/103564261841624224756" target="_blank">+Yahoo Sports</a>' <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100907921764775862039" target="_blank">+Ball Don't Lie</a> went into great length and detail explaining the justification for this crime against financial logic and common sense by basically writing a dissertation using charts and graphs (<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/why-the-pistons-waived-josh-smith--and-what-could-happen-next-182934531.html" target="_blank">12/22/2014</a>); however, even he must have felt ridiculous trying to explain such this half-baked argument that chemistry and poor performance was the reason of SVG basically donating 27$ million to Josh Smith. The whole team chemistry excuse holds absolutely no water, because if Josh Smith was such a detriment to his team, he would have been suspended and SVG could have sat him out for the season until he was able to find a proper deal for him that would would benefit the team in the long run; also instead of just paying the guy off quite handsomely for the next four years, why couldn't Van Gundy just wait and see if another team would be interested? There would have certainly been interest in Smith during the trade deadline because his contract was not as bad a people made it out to be because he had only two years left on it plus he would have been a perfect addition to a team that either wanted to make a playoff push or add a extra weapon for the post season. No matter how many ways the Detroit media or fan want to spin it, Van Gundy's decision was simply foolish because letting go of player of significant talent such as Smith not only shows his ineptitude as a GM, but also as a coach since he was simply unable to incorporate such a gifted player who fits into his defensive coaching philosophy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sure, one can point out that after Smith left, the Pistons won seven straight and followed that by winning five or their next eight games, giving credence to the ridiculous notion that all that was the result of the forward's departure; however, that streak was short lived as the Pistons ended up finished the month of January losing four their next five games and just managed to win 15 games after that to finish the season. Plus, in hindsight, had Van Gundy actually had the patience to try to work Smith's strengths into his system or kept him until the trade deadline, more than likely the same result probably would have occurred anyways--the Pistons probably would have finished with close to the same record and by mid February, there would have been plenty of interest in Josh Smith at the trade deadline. One can list even more reasons why the whole Josh Smith situation was a such a blemish on Stan Van Gundy's inaugural season as both Detroit head coach and general manager; nonetheless, it happened, it is now in the past, and now both the Pistons and their fans have to push forward with the upcoming draft and the prospect of possibly having to lose another elite caliber player in Greg Monroe. Last season, Monroe, who was a restricted free agent at the time--meaning that the Pistons would have been to match any offer a team gave--could have signed a long term extension worth around 60$ million; however he chose not to take the extension offer and instead optioned to take a one year final qualifying offer thus making him an unrestricted free agent--meaning he can to ANY team he wants with the Detroit having no say whatsoever--come season's end. From all the information that has been circulating throughout the media, it has become quite apparent that Monroe, who led the Pistons in scoring this past season and ranks as one of the top free agent prospects in the off season, has little, if any interest in returning to Detroit thus adding more stress to Van Gundy's rebuilding effort plus further damaging his reputation as an NBA executive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It is still too early to judge Van Gundy's tenure as both coach and general manager of the team because very few had the Pistons making the post season this year anywhere; nevertheless, the whole Josh Smith situation will probably haunt him forever and what happens with Greg Monroe will also make or break his legacy in the Motor City. At least he could hold solace in that inspite of the result, the Pistons did play pretty well in that they were competitive in every game losing by slim average margin of just one point per game and that was an achievement in itself because not only was Detroit the fourth worst shooting team in the league, but the fact that they allowed their opponents to shoot nearly .460 from the field against them. Unfortunately, right now the team in complete disarray with no real foundation or balance in the roster and with all the uncertainly surrounding the off season, no one, even Van Gundy himself, has any real idea of what is going to how will it turn out in the end. There will be plenty of time between the official start of the off season in July to when next season officially starts in October, so a lot can happen in that time; however, as of now, things are looking pretty bleak for Van Gundy, the Pistons, their fans and the city of Detroit. To add pressure to this already tense time is not on his side, because this impatient fan base who has been accustomed to winning and has had enough with all this chaos and losing so if Van Gundy has a plan, he better be quick to initiate some sort of positive change because it won't be pretty if he fails; however, the Josh Smith situation definitely forced the Pistons to take two steps back, so hopefully that will bee a small blemish in an otherwise fruitful era for Pistons fans. </span> <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-56673393342751142392015-05-20T11:06:00.000-04:002015-05-21T10:10:09.803-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 24. Denver Nuggets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
Projection:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">42-40, third place Northwest Division, eleventh place Western
Conference</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual Finish:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">30-52,
fourth place Northwest Division, twelfth place Western Conference</span></span><span lang="EN-CA"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: x-large;">Projected<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015 Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;">19</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015
Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;"><span style="color: red;">24</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
Statistics and League Rank</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 101.5 (12<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 105.0 (27<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .433 (26<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .458 (25<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FT%: .734 (24<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .325 (28<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 44.7 (7<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 45.1 (27<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 13.8 (18<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 13.7 (14<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Individual
Statistical Leaders</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4000/ty-lawson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Ty </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Lawson</span></a> (15.2)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6433/kenneth-faried" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Kenneth </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Faried</span></a> (8.9)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: Ty Lawson (35.5)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: Ty Lawson (9.6)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: Kenneth Faried (.507)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3428/danilo-gallinari" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Danilo </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Gallinari</span></a>
(.900)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3003/randy-foye" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Randy </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Foye</span></a> (.357)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: Ty Lawson (1.2)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3102530/jusuf-nurkic" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Jusuf </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;"> Nurkic</span></a> (1.3) </span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107355927893164238017" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">+Jusuf </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Nurkic</span></a></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaqlN5OiyUhn-WSPVOABGvmdKjzu_WzzDrOIDUy3Lg-lyMQY683mZsZ7lVv6ihwdS94ygjoMgo1pHNZ6HFIgxCqqsTKPJYN1bXyzz0_3QCIpPT-82PmsOsQGIewMc1oekjIWzl8y3yhA/s1600/jusuf+nukic+2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaqlN5OiyUhn-WSPVOABGvmdKjzu_WzzDrOIDUy3Lg-lyMQY683mZsZ7lVv6ihwdS94ygjoMgo1pHNZ6HFIgxCqqsTKPJYN1bXyzz0_3QCIpPT-82PmsOsQGIewMc1oekjIWzl8y3yhA/s1600/jusuf+nukic+2015.JPG" width="343" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Denver acquired Jusuf Nurkic from the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113765985818267570365" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Chicago Bulls</span></a> in a draft day trade last summer, it was quite a head scratch-er for Nuggets fans considering the fact that their team already had two accomplished big men: one that was on the rise in <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116929420790230636032" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Timofey </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Mozgov</span></a> and an overpaid mess in JaVale McGee who was finally returning on the court to finally earn his paycheck. Then all of a sudden, Mozgov gets traded to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100683165118349235829" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Cleveland </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Cavaliers</span></a> and finally sick and tired of his constant nonsense and no shows on the court, JaVale was finally sent packing first being shipped away to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104029868095544588252" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">+Philadelphia </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">76ers</span></a> where he was then waived and hopefully will never be seen again, and Nurkic suddenly went from being at the bottom of the rotation to being the team's starting center. Nurkic certainly proved himself worthy of his opportunity as he started 27 games and posted rather impressive numbers for a rookie center of 6.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in less than 18 minutes per game which sad to say, was one of the better performances of this rather horridly shameful and disappointing 2015 NBA Rookie class. In a situation where he was expected to simply ride the pine and watch the game as a spectator, Nurkic got an opportunity that most young players in his case would probably never have gotten and managed enough pressure that would crush far lesser players rather handily as he slipped in seemingly as the Nuggets primary option in the paint. At 20 years old, he is certainly still a work in progress and there will most definitely be growing pains along the way; but if his rookie numbers are any sign of what is to come, then Denver certainly have a gem on its hand and hopefully this one will shine and not be a worthless let down as those who came before him. </span> </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Face to Forget: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100554373361832254368" target="_blank">+JaVale McGee</a></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbGx3Jw_zAsP9EZs_ahdFGuKZIPzgK01Nd78omsKJcHUXv7YbJbxX8n__HNb6eRBkR4krWDRL69M0qTgXqxDdKceREiOsaJUvlFx95eG0SZ0JcLgBb60IhJOfxvBK8R-ubxQkmwCnHxs/s1600/javale+mcgee+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbGx3Jw_zAsP9EZs_ahdFGuKZIPzgK01Nd78omsKJcHUXv7YbJbxX8n__HNb6eRBkR4krWDRL69M0qTgXqxDdKceREiOsaJUvlFx95eG0SZ0JcLgBb60IhJOfxvBK8R-ubxQkmwCnHxs/s1600/javale+mcgee+2015.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">After six long years of shattered hopes, broken promises, and nightmarish dreams, One can sum up JaVale McGee's tumultuous career in one short, but brief sentence: GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD RUBBISH!! JaVale had all the tools necessary to not only be a star in the NBA, but also potentially change the game of basketball itself; however with all his size, skills, and athleticism, his poor judgement both on and of the court in addition to a complete lack of understanding of the game constantly overshadowed whatever strengths he had. Despite posting more red flags than a Caribbean coastline during hurricane season, Denver still decided to overlook his past transgressions and take a chance with him rewarding him with a ridiculously lucrative contract and quickly saw the error in the ways as he would once again fail to live up to expectations becoming less of an anchor in the paint that both fans and management hoped he would be and more of a bloated and dragging dead weight that held the team back. The departure of McGee ends another sad chapter in the Nuggets' history where they have gotten burned time and time again after signing free agents to lucrative contracts with the likes of such players as JR Smith and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117224965025476163699" target="_blank">+Kenyon Martin</a> on the team's blooper reel. One can hope that the Nuggets'front office will finally learn its lesson, but if history is a good indicator of what might happen then Javale McGee will not be the last black eye on this much maligned franchise. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-US">You have to feel sorry for the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102060184805262212846" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">+Denver </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Nuggets</span></a> because for their entire history they have been essentially been on the fringe of the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" target="_blank">+NBA</a> getting little or no notoriety due to the team being essentially isolated in "no man's land." Whenever they have had a chance to be under the spotlight, the Nuggets time has been rather fleeting as they manage to only reach a certain point and upon reaching it, they slip away and are never heard from again. Once again, the Nuggets find themselves in that same predicament where after a decade of post season appearances with little or nothing to show for it, they are in danger of slipping and falling into the abyss once again never to be seen or heard from again. It took Denver eight years to return to relevancy in NBA and now after ten so-so years of just being at best a marginal playoff team, it is all coming a sad an abrupt end.</span>If this sounds like a eulogy rather than a season recap and review, that is because it is supposed to be: after years of trying to avoid the inevitable, the "shroud of the darkness" has finally fallen upon NBA basketball in the Mile high City and Nuggets fans are left to pick up the pieces. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">One have to give this organization for surviving so long in one of the smallest, most secluded sport markets in possibly the world while at the same time managing to remain competitive despite all the missteps taken and overall bad luck. The team spent a decade treading water in not only a world that ignored them, but a cruel and unforgiving Western Conference while having to endure losing hundreds of millions of dollars on failed free agent signings as they watched their hope fade away with each signed check. Such names as <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/103492253939988994737" target="_blank">+Marcus Camby</a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117224965025476163699" target="_blank">+Kenyon Martin</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2444" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">JR </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Smith</span></a>, JaVale McGee, and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/110416176403290949660" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">+Nene</span><span style="background-color: red; color: blue;"> Hilario</span></a>, have all disgraced the parquet floor of the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/114172000333409302130" target="_blank">+Pepsi Center</a> to the tune of more than 200$ million total and both the fans and the organization watched as they fumbled on and off the court while picking up their undeserved paychecks. Although it owns some responsibility for their failed decision making, the Nuggets' front office basically had no choice but to overpay these free-loaders because otherwise, they would not be able to get anyone else otherwise to play for the team.As mentioned before, Denver can be considered as the black hole or the Bermuda Triangle of the NBA where many players come in, but few if any are able to come and by that time, it is too late and as their abilities, skills, and marketability have all been drained. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/103130659537995939845" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+Carmelo </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">Anthony</span></a> saw this fate coming from miles away so before its cruel clutches pulled him any further and bleed his soul dry, he decided to take action by forcing a trade that would send him to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117530429380139429277" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+New Yo</span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">rk Knicks</span></a>--a move that would send both parties into a downward spiral. Nonetheless, even though the current marriage between the Knicks and Anthony has been a disaster thus far with both him and the team failing miserably to live up to fans' expectations, it is more than worth the price in Anthony's eyes to escape that frozen prison that he once called home. He would rather go down in history as one of the biggest free agent flops in not only Knick, but NBA history and suffer the pain and scars from are the arrows and rocks thrown at him rather than be remembered as a top tier star playing in a sports marketing wasteland on a team going nowhere. Sure, Nuggets may have survived and even temporarily thrived after Carmelo's departure, that was short lived as the team came crashing down to reality three years going from finishing among the top winners in the Western Conference in 2013 to completely falling off the radar the following season. No matter what anybody says about his lack of character, his selfishness being a detriment to his team, or his lack of effort to provide any effort on the defensive end, no one can say that Carmelo made the wrong decision leaving Denver because being the captain of a sinking ship is FAR better than being a king of a barren and desolate wasteland.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Now with the Nuggets headed for yet another collapse, every player who has little or if any marketable value left on that team will be looking for a quick way out before the porthole closes and they are stuck to waste their best basketball player years of the harsh and dismal tundra otherwise known as Denver. So far the team's current leading scorer and assist man, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106947332742160122636" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">+Ty </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Lawson</span></a> has put up a brave facade saying nothing about wanting to leave the Mile High City in its most desperate hour; however, even he has his agent looking for a way out of having to waste his peak years of his playing career in an obscure, and indistinguishable city that is isolated from the rest of the world. The same goes for <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100449754849192393809" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">+Danilo </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Gallinari</span></a>, who after this season, will have one year on his contract remaining and is probably headed to his homeland, make a pilgrimage to Vatican City and pray the rosary continuously until the Blessed Virgin grants him mercy and releases him from his bondage. <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113538308960940121825" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">+Wilson </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Chandler</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112182461832074498937" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">+JJ </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Hickson</span></a> are certainly almost in the clear because not only will their contracts at the end of next season, but unlike Gallinari who will be paid up to 11$ million, their deals are much more manageable and can be either traded or released before the season even starts. Unfortunately, some people just never learn because in spite off all the evidence warning of an apocalyptic future, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112213920519254894786" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">+Kenneth </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Faried</span></a> decided to sell his soul and stay on with the Nuggets signing a five year extension worth 60$ million (<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--kenneth-faried-agrees-to--60m-extension-with-nuggets-063753982.html" target="_blank">10/6/2014</a>) freezing himself and his career to a bleak future indeed squandering his talents on a team that will at best be in the periphery of the NBA spotlight and nothing more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Many hardcore Nuggets fans living in Denver--because it is doubtful that there are many that are outside the state of Colorado--may consider this piece as a hack job to their believe team and they are right in most respects; however, whether they want to admit it or make, everything that has been said thus far remains the unequivocal truth. In its entire history, the Nuggets have not been more than a flash in the pan team that temporarily shines in the corner of the media's eye only to flicker off without anyone ever noticing it left. Credit the team's front office for keeping both the city and its NBA franchise remotely relevant for a decade before the red carpet for the post season was finally pulled up from under them after performing their redundant disappearing act qualifying for the first round of the playoffs only to be eliminated soon after. Now it is finally time to say that their 15 minutes of fame is over as the sky closes and both the team, its fans and the city will sink back into obscurity once more; however, it should be noted that in most eyes, the Nuggets had never left obscurity in the first place. So to conclude, here is a farewell toast: to the Denver Nuggets, who whether they win or lose, will always be a team that is ignored and disregarded by the NBA, its fans and the rest of the sporting world. </span> <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-64776253031612602692015-05-19T20:15:00.003-04:002015-05-19T20:28:40.156-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 25. Sacramento Kings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
Projection:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">36-46, fourth place Pacific Division, twelfth place Western
Conference </span></span><span lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual Finish:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">29-53,
fourth place Pacific Division, thirteenth place Western Conference </span> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: x-large;">Projected 2014/2015
Finish</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;">24</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015
Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;"><span style="color: red;">25</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
Statistics and League Rank</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 101.3 (13<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 105.0 (28<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .455 (13<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .456 (24<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FT%: .762 (10<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .341 (20<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 44.2 (9<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 41.2 (4<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 15.6 (27<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 12.5 (24<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Individual
Statistical Leaders</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4258/demarcus-cousins" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #cccccc;">DeMarcus </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Cousins</span></a> (24.1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: DeMarcus Cousins (12.7)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3005/rudy-gay" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #cccccc;">Rudy</span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"> Gay</span></a> (35.4)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3973/darren-collison" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #cccccc;">Darren </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Collison</span></a> (5.6)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3008/ryan-hollins" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #cccccc;">Ryan </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Hollins</span></a> (.646)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2991042/nik-stauskas" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #cccccc;">Nik </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Stauskas</span></a> (.890)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3554/omri-casspi" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #cccccc;">Omri </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Casspi</span></a> (.402)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: DeMarcus Cousins (1.5)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: DeMarcus Cousins (1.7)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112504044089872993530" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #cccccc;">+DeMarcus </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Cousins</span></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can someone please give this guy a medal for courage under fire, especially when constantly fighting a never ending losing battle? That has been the case for DeMarcus Cousins as he, yet again had to shoulder the weight along with the much of the criticism for the sad state of his team; however, after putting up such impressive numbers one has to ask what else can he do? Looking at his numbers, he is arguably the best center in the NBA and if it was not for the fact that he has been spending his energy trying to resurrect a moribund franchise going nowhere, he would actually be respected by both fans and the media worldwide; sadly, however, that has not been the case as no matter how much he tries, he will never be able to pull this sad Sacramento team out of the pit of quick sand that it created for itself. To make matters worse, it almost seems as if the franchise is actually working against him thanks to poor personnel decisions which makes the burden even heavier to carry. Add questionable roster choices with the losing and sooner or later, Cousins will have enough and look for the next bus out of that crumbling kingdom. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-US">SDH’s Face to Forget: </span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.ask.com/wiki/Pete_D%27Alessandro?qsrc=3044" style="background-color: purple;" target="_blank">Pete D'Alessandro</a></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Take a good hard look, Kings fans, because this is the man who took what could have been a breakout season for your franchise and sent it crashing into a pile of flames. It all started in last years draft where he took the eighth pick and wasted it on <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107669716649677942885" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #999999;">+Nik </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;">Stauskas</span></a>, a player who failed miserably to even crack the roster, let alone make any impact for the team. During the offseason, he could have re-signed fan favorite and Most Improved Player Candidate Isaiah Thomas, but chose instead to let him go to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109870053628419941069" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Phoenix Suns</span></a>, who only paid just one million more than he originally offered him and could have easily matched. Finally, to cap it all off, he fires Michael Malone, a coach who the team respected and had led the team to its best start in years; however, after a small dip due to the temporary absence of team leader DeMarcus Cousins, instead of patient and waiting out the storm, he chose to rashly fire the coach thus turning the team off kilter for the rest of the season. Seriously, Kings fans, if you see this man walking in the streets, have your torches and pitchforks ready because this man needs to be stopped before he does any more damage. </span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Two years ago, it seemed as the sale of the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115206469672782219638" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #cccccc;">+Sacramento </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Kings</span></a> to billionaire <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivek_Ranadiv%C3%A9" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: purple;">Vivek </span><span style="background-color: black;">Ranadivé</span></span></a> and his commitment to stay in the city of Sacramento was a Godsend to a sports franchise that was virtually on life support and on the verge of collapse; however, three season's later, the Kings still remain in its rather sad state despite its best efforts to revitalize the franchise. The front office has done its best to reawaken this moribund franchise first by signing DeMarcus Cousins to a multi-year extension making him the face, heart and soul of the franchise while adding solid players around him such as <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106899223607883960792" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #cccccc;">+Rudy </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Gay</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/105991086293622878929" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #cccccc;">+Darren</span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"> Collison</span></a>, among others; however, nothing thus far has reaped any rewards as the Kings find themselves once again wallowing at the bottom of the Western Conference standing making many wonder whether keeping the team in Sacramento was a good idea. Although many credited Ranadivé and his associate for nobly keeping the team in Sacramento instead of moving to a more lucrative market such as Seattle, one has to ask the question if this noble act was in the best interest of the franchise. Had it moved, perhaps the new setting and a refreshing new fan base would have infused new life into every facet in the Kings organization--the coaching staff, front office and personnel--thus giving the team a virtual rebirth--the same way that the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">City Thunder</span></a> was reborn after leaving Seattle; instead it continues to spin its tires in the mud going nowhere as it continues to sink further to the point of completely disappearing altogether. If the Kings' direction does not change soon then frustrations from the players, most notably the team's star DeMarcus Cousins, will soon boil over and explode resulting in another disappointing rebuilding attempt and quite possibly the final death blow for this much maligned franchise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">At the opening tip off, it looked as if the Kings had finally turned a corner when it virtually shocked the basketball world winning nine of its first fourteen games and finished the first month of the season with a 9-8 record; however the hope of a Sacramento revival were swiftly shot down in the month of December when the team went 4-11 to finish 2014. Nonetheless, finishing the season 13-19 was far more than the ecstatic home crowd of the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106760638968713481850" target="_blank">+Sleep Train</a> Arena could have wished for even though the chances of reaching the playoffs were slim at best, especially in the Byzantine Western Conference, there was a glimmer of hope that this would be the start of something something special. Unfortunately, those hopes were quickly flushed down the toilet when the team's GM Pete D'Alessandro made a rash unwise move and fired head coach Michael Malone (<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--kings-fire-coach-michael-malone-061241211.html" target="_blank">12/15/2014</a>), a man who the players greatly respected and was on the verge of changing the team's culture, after the team slipped into a short slump losing seven of nine games. What made the move especially thoughtless and reckless about Allesandro's was not only the fact that it was still early in the season and it would have been wiser to simply wait it out to see if the team can pull themselves out of it, but also the fact that the primary reasons of the Kings' struggle was because the team's star player, DeMarcus Cousins, had been sitting out those game due to illness. The team was only 11-13, which was quite an achievement in itself considering the Kings had come off its best start since <b>forever</b>, and as a result of the rather unjust and ill-advised handling of the coaching situation, Sacramento simply went into free fall and would never recover as the Kings winning just 18 games more to finish the season.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">To prove how insipid it was for D'Alessandro to fire Malone so early into the season, one can point out that no one expected for Sacramento to even reach .500, let alone contend for the playoffs this season and if one were to extrapolate that 11-13 start of the course of 82 games, then it would have been a great possibility for the Kings to finish with a 38-44 record had Malone stayed. Although it would not have been nearly enough to earn a playoff spot in the West, that certainly would have been a far better improvement from the teams previous seasons where the Kings won an average of just 24 games over the past six years and would have been at least a solid confidence booster for the team to move forward in the future. Unfortunately any progress or strides that the Kings could have made were completely sabotaged by a shortsighted move made by a witless GM who had severe delusions of grandeur of what his team--that in spite of the obvious talent in its roster, was still trying to feel its way in the NBA--was capable of accomplishing. Such a thoughtless move must have certainly knocked the wind out of DeMarcus Cousins confidence in the team, who was actually starting to build a rapport with the ousted coach and had already been wary of the team because of its considerable lack of stability at the beginning of his career. Now Cousins has to bear the weight of yet another disastrous and wasted season despite a rather magnificent individual performance and has nothing to look forward to, but yet another return to the lottery where he is reminded of how much of a wasted season that it was.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">If the team's fortunes do not change quickly, it will not be surprising to see that by the end of next season, both Cousins and his agent will be so fed up by the Kings' front office foolishness that they publicly demand to get the hell out of Sacramento thanks to the incompetence of both Ranadivé and D'Alessandro. From his interviews in the media and his general mannerism, it has become quite apparent that Vivek Ranadivé has no idea what he is doing since taking over the much maligned NBA franchise and despite what he or other Sacramento Kings fans want to believe, Pete D'Alessandro does not have the faintest notion, either. He wasted the eighth overall pick on a guy who was projected to fall late in the first round, allowed a future star in <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6472" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">Isaiah Thomas</span></a> to leave in free agency despite the fact that he only could have paid just a million more than he offered more to keep him, and this final debacle of Michael Malone's firing. That same player whom he simply discarded not only would go on to have an impressive season with the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109870053628419941069" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Phoenix</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;"> Suns</span></a>, but also would go one to lead the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116274984352579031823" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">+Boston Celtics</span></a> to a shocking playoff run leaving both him and the organization looking like fools for letting him go in the first place. Stauskas, who was selected eighth overall in the draft, was an absolute disaster as he did not give the Kings the shooter that they desired him to be shooting just .365 from the field, failed to live up to the lofty expectations put upon on him for this season as he made little or no impact on the court thus further compounding on D'Alessandro's shortcomings as the team's GM.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This season had so much potential to be a special one for the Kings because they had all the pieces in place, but poor managerial and personnel decisions robbed the team of achieving anything worthwhile leaving both the players and fans once again wondering if this team will ever return to what it once was in the late nineties and early 2000s. Both Rudy Gay and Demaruc Cousins have to be frustrated with the direction the team took because at this point in both of their career, neither one of them want to waste the prime years wasting away on a team going anywhere; however, with what has happened thus far, it is doubtful that things will change anytime soon unless there is a severe shake up in the front office (#firepetedalessandro). Unfortunately, what happened in past cannot be changed and the best thing to for both the players, the fans and the Kings organization to do is pick themselves up, dust themselves off, learn from their past mistakes, prepare for the draft, wait for next season to start, and keep pressing forward. Hopefully the Kings can turn things around before they really start to get ugly and once again fans in Sacramento will be wondering once again whether or not their team will remain their city, let alone finally make the playoffs. </span> <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-80311820691343779542015-05-18T12:27:00.001-04:002015-05-18T12:27:33.581-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 26. Orlando Magic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
Projection:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">22-60, fifth place Southeast Division, fifteenth place Eastern
Conference</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual Finish:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">25-57,
fifth place Southeast Division, thirteenth place Eastern Conference </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: x-large;">Projected<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;">30</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015
Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;"><span style="color: lime;">26</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
Statistics and League Rank</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 95.7 (25<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 101.4 (23<sup>rd</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .453 (14<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .463 (28<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FT%: .729 (25<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .347 (16<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 41.8(25<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 43.5 (15<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 14.3 (24<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 13.9 (12<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Individual
Statistical Leaders</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6478/nikola-vucevic" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Nikola </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Vucevic</span></a> (19.3)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: Nikola Vucevic (10.9)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2527963/victor-oladipo" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Victor </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Oladipo</span></a> (35.7)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2583639/elfrid-payton" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Elfrid</span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"> Payton</span></a> (6.5)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2580913/dewayne-dedmon" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Dewayne</span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"> Dedmon</span></a> (.560)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2754/channing-frye" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Channing</span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"> Frye</span></a> (.890) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: Channing Frye (.393) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: Elfrid Payton (1.7)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: Dewayne Dedmon (0.8)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104263266580836757260" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Nikola </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Vucevic</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seems that Orlando always has had the "Magic Touch," when it comes to acquiring superstar centers first starting with <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109757672356609041360" target="_blank">+Shaquille O'Neal</a>, then <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/105076569159070683815" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #999999;">+Dwight </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;">Howard</span></a>, and finally the newest addition to the family, Nikola Vucevic--a player who no one would have considered a starting caliber center, let alone an All Star who can have a team built around him. Nonetheless, that is what happened as this young Serbian big man, who was not picked in the top ten off his draft class and was callously discarded by the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104029868095544588252" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">+Philadelphia</span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"> 76ers</span></a> so they can get their hands on a gimpy <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102879064698573614944" target="_blank">+Andrew Bynum</a>, who ended up not playing one game with the team. In fact one can go as far to say that Vucevic's game has shown more polish, fundamentally sound, and far more effective than Howard ever was, despite having the absolute advantage on him in athleticism, physical strength and abilities--that goes especially from the free throw line where Niko connected on .750 of his attempts compared to just .530 for Howard. His selection to the Eastern Conference All Star team was the sole shining spot for a franchise that underwent another loss riddled season and a fan base that has not seen the post season in three years, but perhaps Niko will be the one that will bring them back to respectability once again. All he needs is a solid and experienced supporting cast as well as a coach that can take his game to the next level, but the roster does not seem as too shabby as it consists on the deepest treasure trove of young talent currently in the NBA and all they just need is time and the right coach to guide them. </span> </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Face to Forget: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3064290/aaron-gordon" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Aaron </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Gordon</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Add Aaron Gordon to the long list of prospective studs turned duds in a draft that was supposedly high in expected talent, but rather low in the actual end result; however, the Magic deserve a bulk of the blame for selecting this long, wiry, slight build, athletically pogo-stick in the first place. To start off, the Magic already had a wealth of young, athletic, and talente at the power forward--players who in fact were far more polished, physically suitable and experienced than this 19 year old upstart whose only true strengths were his length, speed, athleticism and nothing else. His actual basketball skills were almost nonexistent as he spent most of his time running and jumping up and down the floor while at the same time, he was physically outmatched on the defensive end making less of a strength and more of a liability on the court. He certainly proved how outclassed he was physically when he got injured after the first ten games of the season and then spent nearly two months sidelined on the bench in street clothes as a spectator instead of actually contributing. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Watching the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/114142060222176373436" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Orlando </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Magic</span></a> play is like watching a tiny orange sapling grow into a massive tree--it will probably take forever before it fully matures and bears fruit, but just simply witnessing its growth and development as it is nurtured over time gives as much, if not more enjoyment that waiting for the finished product. Such an analogy is the perfect representation of a team that rich in youth, talent, size and depth that is a joy to watch because you know that someday this talented group of youngsters will sooner or later burst out of the ground and start branching out; however, at the same time, it is rather frustrating watching the team suffer the growing pains that come with youth and inexperience. Once again the Magic have finished with a losing record for the third straight season showing just a five game improvement over that period of time thus making those who watch and follow the team rather antsy as they yearn so much for a major breakthrough to happen, only to left unfulfilled once again; however, they must remember that it has been only three years since their team parted ways with its one time star, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/105076569159070683815" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Dwight Howard</span></a>, that left three of the four teams in that deal--namely, the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111410703357000754962" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Los Ang</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">eles Lakers</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104029868095544588252" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">+Philadelphia </span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;">76er</span>s</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102060184805262212846" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">+Denver </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Nuggets</span></a>--in complete ruins. Not only did the Magic manage to survive the flux that would have destroyed any lesser team, but it also found a way to thrive through discovering and developing talent that were otherwise ignored, unappreciated and thus cast away, then molding it into a work of art leaving those who had originally threw them out shocked and dumb-founded that they possessed such treasures. It is important to remember, that the majority of Orlando's players were not even at the top of their respective draft classes either falling late in the first round or even as far as late in the second save for two of them-- <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113859442195400602019" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Victor </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Oladipo</span></a> who was selected second overall in 2013 and Aaron Gordon, who was selected fourth overall last year thus making the Orlando Magic arguably the best team in spotting and nurturing the talent that they acquire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Those players whose former teams had simply given up on them due to inability to find them playing time or simply had been ignored as they were buried under the bench found a new breath of life upon arriving in Central Florida with the two most notable being big man <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104263266580836757260" target="_blank">+Nikola Vucevic</a>, who had earned himself an All Star nod, and swing man Tobias Harris, who probably could have also earned an All Star nod had he not been injured. Before getting hurt, Harris simply exploded out of the gates leading the Magic in scoring with 18 points per game while grabbing nearly eight boards per game in the first two months of the season and although injuries in the month of January significantly dropped his production to 11.9 points and 4.8 rebounds, he still managed to bounce back finishing the season averaging 17.1 points and 6.3 boards per game. Had it not been for his teammate's equally explosive coming out party, Harris would have probably received greater exposure and probably would have earned the league Most Improved Player Award if Niko had not taken all of the spotlight; however, Harris is certainly not complaining as he will certainly be quite a sought after commodity in the free agent market this summer. Who would have thought a a player who was selected 19th overall four years ago and callously discarded by the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115832581668320354874" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">+Milwaukee Bucks</span></a>--a team that in by no ways was a contender by any stretch of the imagination--would ascend to a point where even they would reconsider signing him for a max contract? The same can be said for a little known Serbian big man coming out of the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106536967041295420187" target="_blank">+University of Southern California</a> who the Sixers nabbed with the 14th pick from the same draft class who many scouts and analysts expected to be, at best, a solid backup center for the course of his NBA career.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Nonetheless, both these unexpected and unnoticed diamonds in the rough shined bright as ever thus showing that there is more to the "magic" in Orlando than just its namesake and what is even more jaw dropping about this team is that losing such a quality player in Harris would not even phase this team as they will be someone else waiting in the wings to take his place. <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112723674025831770472" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Maurice </span><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;">Harkless</span></a> was another one of those players who the Sixers considered as disposable discarding him along with Vucevic to the Magic in that massively apocalyptic Dwight Howard trade three years ago that would leave three teams in ruins; however, even he has manged to make the front office in Philly even more foolish than giving up Vucevic because at least it got a chance to see Niko play. Philly did not even give Harkless the chance immediately trading him upon drafting him and watched as he thrived the next two seasons coming off the bench and posting nearly eight points and four boards per game in just 25 minutes of playing time while shooting over .460 from the field and a respectable .323 from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, after two solid seasons his production had significantly diminished this season as a result of struggling with injuries playing in just 45 games; however considering how young he is at just 22 and from what he had done in his previous seasons, Harkless has definitely shown that he is certainly a player to watch out for in the years to come. If, heaven forbid, the Magic fail to retain Harris signing him to an extension this summer, Harkless along with two or three other players can easily fill in the massive void that he would most definitely leave behind and not many other NBA teams can easily say that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">As having Vucevic and Harris exploding for career seasons was not enough, This team would prove even more ironic as the Orlando Magic would once again be blessed with any hidden gem--this time once again at the hands of a team that was burned earlier in dealing with them in the first place. Three years ago, the Denver Nuggets sent <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102015170814917683347" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">+Arron </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: red;">Afflalo</span></a> to the Magic in that ill fated Dwight Howard trade and ended up becoming the team best player leading it in scoring while proving the Magic with a go to player with All Star potential; so they decided to bring him back trading another player they found expendable--a French shooting guard who they selected 20th overall in the NBA NBA Draft named <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6588/evan-fournier" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Evan </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Fournier</span></a> whom the Nuggets considered a long term project at best. Unfortunately, they would get burned once again as Afflalo failed to reproduce his performance in Orlando as he fell under a severe shooting slump, never got back his stride and was subsequently traded once again to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102389125283549686273" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">+Portland </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: red;">Trail Blazers</span></a> where as the player Denver whom they casually discarded would blossom in Central Florida thus making them look like fools once again. At just 22 years old, Fournier immediately found his game in Orlando opening the season replacing the injured Victor Oladipo in the team's starting lineup and simply caught fire as he exploded pumping in 15.4 points per games while shooting a rather efficient .414 from the three point territory. Although his numbers would taper thanks to the Oladipo's return plus sitting out 24 games due to injury, Evan Fournier still finished the season with a rather respectable 12.0 points in under 29 minutes per game while shooting an efficient .440 percent from the field and .378 from beyond the arc thus making many wonder whether or not there is truly something "Magical" happening in Orlando.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Everyone knows the old saying that lightning almost never strikes the exact same spot, but that is the exact opposite when it comes to the Magic as it keeps striking the city of Orlando at the same spot every season with new blessings arriving every season making every sports fan wonder if there is actually some sort of mystical energy or supernatural force surrounding this city. What makes this phenomenon even more baffling that despite all the treasures that has been showered upon them, the team has yet to capitalize or profit from them as it still remains at the bottom of the standings and has returned to the lottery for the past four season which make fans and those who follow the Magic even more frustrated to see this team flounder in spite of its inexplicably good fortune; however, it must be remembered that even the most precious gems need time to be processed and polished before it is able to yield its full value. Sadly, that is the case with the Magic--the team has been simply receiving more treasure than they can possibly know what to do with, so the team's coaching staff has to first figure out how to best utilize all the talent at its disposal before they can get anywhere near to using it to finally win games and become a contender. Head Coach Jacque Vaughn found that out the hard way when he was fired mid-season despite managing to get a rather raw and inexperienced group of youngster to buy into playing a very disciplined and efficient style of basketball during his tenure; however, that is sadly the nature of the beast and unless the Magic's front office to acquire some spell or potion to quickly change the direction of the team, Vaughn's successor will have the same problem. Hopefully, everything will finally come together next year for the Magic because it is simply just a shame to see possibly one of the deepest treasure troves of talent possibly in NBA history to fall apart simply because that people were too impatient to take the time and witness something beautiful to sprout from the ground and bear fruit in its own time. </span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-91842476870352341962015-05-15T17:24:00.000-04:002015-05-15T17:44:40.375-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 27. Los Angeles Lakers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
Projection:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">44-38, third place Pacific Division, ninth place Western
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual Finish:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">21-61,
fifth place Pacific Division, fourteenth place Western Conference </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;">17</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015
Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;"><span style="color: red;">27</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
Statistics and League Rank</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 98.5 (19<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 105.3 (29<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .435 (25<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .466 (29<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FT%: .741 (23<sup>rd</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .344 (17<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 43.9 (12<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 44.2(22<sup>nd</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 12.6 (6<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 12.4 (25<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Individual
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/110/kobe-bryant" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Kobe </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Bryant</span></a> (22.3)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3994/jordan-hill" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Jordan</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"> Hill</span></a> (7.9)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: Kobe Bryant (34.5)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: Kobe Bryant (5.6)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4259/ed-davis" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Ed</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"> Davis</span></a> (.601)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage: Nick Young (.890)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3981/wayne-ellington" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Wayne </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Ellington</span></a> (.370)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2807/ronnie-price" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Ronnie</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"> Price</span></a> (1.6)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: Ed Davis (1.2)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116645600354943395990" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Jeremy</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"> Lin</span></a> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CIP2duthTVxqvS2iQAA7hQToxbDRZ5a0A1n4OaH9gmNX0qXfKeO8cRJ2cyIMRbx7zfFS89_Mgn7u1INxpsbdNWCbypJk0TL3S2EC2-BAZYnRCSlTpYoZb-coU23GUJ3gz2D2DAwGUFY/s1600/jeremy+lin+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CIP2duthTVxqvS2iQAA7hQToxbDRZ5a0A1n4OaH9gmNX0qXfKeO8cRJ2cyIMRbx7zfFS89_Mgn7u1INxpsbdNWCbypJk0TL3S2EC2-BAZYnRCSlTpYoZb-coU23GUJ3gz2D2DAwGUFY/s1600/jeremy+lin+2015.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">If there was ever someone who deserved to receive a medal for courage under fire it has to be this guy, because throughout the Lakers' abysmal season, Jeremy Lin had been unfairly put under the microscope by not only the media, but fans as well. After such a meteoric rise three years ago which made him a international phenomenon, Lin crashed back to Earth hard as he failed time and time again to bring back the "Linsanity;" nevertheless, he continued to push on despite being discarded by the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104651471522091388043" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Houston Rockets</span></a> and being the constant whipping boy of not just the media and fans, but also his teammate, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117441228511515339361" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Kobe Bryant</span></a>. Through it all he remained poised, kept his composure and did not let the negativity rattle him as he did his best to do what he can to contribute in order to keep that sinking ship of a team afloat. What is even more ominous for him is the fact that with his contract has expired, all the unfair critiques and negative press will adversely affect his future chances to not only return with the Lakers, but also every other NBA team for that matter. There is no doubt that "Linsanity" was over before it even started, but strip away all the hype and press fall out, there is still a viable NBA player who can contribute to any team if given the chance to prove himself--hopefully, he will still have one. </span> </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Face to Forget: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117441228511515339361" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Kobe </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Bryant</span></a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq8GPc-l-S4URBDx86Tix_wHPNghkbZkcCBB3OuphDea4vaSTA_XaRC-XkjwN9IZZBmGCPaNtVPIEIjmZfOmCRSFwgXEweTiYUu-Z9KqbWA92lmMRhV0ol65iUxBUtbZO8L0NipGKD2U/s1600/kobe+bryant+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq8GPc-l-S4URBDx86Tix_wHPNghkbZkcCBB3OuphDea4vaSTA_XaRC-XkjwN9IZZBmGCPaNtVPIEIjmZfOmCRSFwgXEweTiYUu-Z9KqbWA92lmMRhV0ol65iUxBUtbZO8L0NipGKD2U/s1600/kobe+bryant+2015.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah sure, he finished this season as third all time NBA leader in scoring knocking down his revered idol <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108142043942572558226" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Michael </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Jordan</span></a> off his pedestal, but that was the only bright spot for a player that looked way over the hill and did more to hurt his team than actually help it. Kobe Bryant was a complete mess on both ends of the floor--despite him leading the team in scoring, he did so while shooting an abysmal .373 from the field and let us not forget about his presence and effort on the defensive end; however, it was not his poor performance on the court, but his poisonous presence off the court which has placed him in infamy. Instead of being the teacher and mentor many hoped he would be encouraging his teammates and providing a comforting presence in the team's most desperate hour, he was actually the source of all the negativity and simply made an already bad situation worse. In the locker room and on the practice floor, he would constantly berate and belittle his teammates while providing little or nothing else and head coach Byron Scott simply allowed him to continue with his declining play and his poisonous attitude until Bryant finally decided to shut it down after playing just 35 games. Perhaps it is time for both the Lakers and Kobe to finally part ways, finally buy him out using that league mandated four year stretch provision as a going away present, because it has become strikingly apparent that staying another season will simply cause more harm than good. </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-large;">The 2014 NBA Season must have been the most traumatic in recent memory not only to <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111410703357000754962" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Los Ang</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">eles Lakers</span></a> fans, but also to the sporting world in general as they all say this once great titan not only fall from grace but crash and burst into flames leaving many feeling violated and emotionally damaged. First the team lost <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/105076569159070683815" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Dwight Howard</span></a> as a free agent after virtually selling its soul in the off season, then had to endure <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117441228511515339361" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Kobe </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Bryant</span></a> missing that entire season, and finally had to trudge through the season beaten and worn down to finish with a franchise low 27 wins; however like true champions, the team would not take this sitting down. That's why team General Manager Mitch Kupchak went about overhauling the team replacing the tired and worn down <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100779095458956856934" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Pau Gasol</span></a>, who left for the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113765985818267570365" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Chicago Bulls</span></a>, and picked up <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109525013304316580015" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Carlos</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"> Boozer</span></a>, a player who the Bulls waived in order to get Gasol and also acquired some much needed fresh blood picking up <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116645600354943395990" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Jeremy</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"> Lin</span></a> in a trade with the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104651471522091388043" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Houston Rockets</span></a> that also netted them another first round pick and an underrated yet effective <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4259/ed-davis" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Ed</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"> Davis</span></a> for a rather minimal cost. Add the re-signing of fan favorite <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3243/nick-young" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Nick </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Young</span></a>, as well as the return of the Black Mamba himself, the Lakers looked to bounce back from that abysmal season and although they may not make the post season, at least they could not do any worse that they did last year. The probability of such a storied sports brand with such a rich history, let alone any other team. finishing worse than 27 wins that the team scrounged up last year would be slim at best as there was nowhere else to go but up . . . or so everyone thought.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Fast forward to this season and what was once seen as a statistical improbability became a sick and tragic reality as the predictable Lakers comeback to the NBA spotlight had not only once again fallen short, but actually managed to dip even lower with one of the most recognizable sport brands in the world winning six games less than they did the previous season. What many considered as the team's rock bottom point actually became the precursor of an even more devastating collapse as fans of the Purple and Gold watched in horror as their team went from being extremely bad to even worse than they have even seen their once proud team before. The supposed moves that were supposed to uplift the team simply fell apart as Boozer proved his former team right for casting him aside as the three time All Star would have quite possibly the worst season in his career while ironically, the guy who they replaced him for ended up having his career revived in the Windy City. Jeremy Lin proved once again that "Linsanity" was finally dead and was never going to be resuscitated while Nick Young, after having such a heroic performance in 2014 that made him not only a fan favorite, but a leader on the team, completely vanished over the course of the season. The final blow came with Kobe Bryant, who after signing a two year extension paying him up to 50$ million, arrived onto the court a shell of his former greatness, became more a hindrance than a help both on and off the court, and exited early unceremoniously due to injury leaving every one who had idolized him at one one time or another with a bad taste in their mouths.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US">In a season where no one thought it could get any lower that it already was, the LA Lakers managed to surpass even the worst projections and expectation turning a once proud franchise that can be considered as a model for all professional sports teams to following into an absolute disgrace and laughing stock. As that was not shameful enough, the Lakers were forced to watch their onetime doormat of a rival, the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100429518756699636111" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: red;">+Los Angel</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">es Clippers</span></a>, take away their title as Kings of Los Angeles with their horrid looking red, white and blue uniforms, and used the team that had oppressed and had stood in their shadow for so long them for so long not only to wipe their feet, but also their backsides at the same time. Even the lowly <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115206469672782219638" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #cccccc;">+Sacramento</span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"> Kings</span></a>, a team that has spent so much time wallowing at the bottom of the Pacific Division standings for the past few years, managed to use the Lakers as a stepping stone from out of the bottom leaving a team who no one thought could ever suffer such indignity to wallow in the same pit of despair that they had so long avoided. Just a couple years before, fans and the media would have considered finishing with a low playoff seeding in the west and an early first round exit as the lowest that the Lakers could ever fall, but sadly this fall from grace is only the beginning for this once proud franchise that was so impervious to damage that it could have been considered as infallible. Not even the prospect of having a the potential of acquiring the number one overall pick in this summer's upcoming draft or having the most cap space and money to woo free agents in the off season can offset the earth shattering impact from the Lakers' fall from grace nor will they be able to regain their once prominent role among the NBA's elite anytime soon, either. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The whole landscape of the Western Conference has completely flipped over placing teams that were once on the top of the mountain crushed under mounds of dirt and rock while teams who barely received any daylight and such as the Clippers and the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117072717171084573790" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: yellow;">+Golden </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue;">State Warrior</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue;">s</span></a> have emerged in the fore front with the spotlight now shining on them. The Lakers will have to dig their way out form under miles of rubble and debris and in a conference where it took 45 wins to get the eighth and final playoff berth in the West, do not expect them to break through and see daylight anytime soon because already, there are five or six teams that have placed themselves firmly in the Western Conference playoff landscape and they do not look to be moving away from their spots anytime soon. The Western Conference resembles a relatively inert caste system where power rest in very few hands--in this case, the six or seven team that have at least 50 wins to make the playoffs--and the rest who are simply fighting for the scraps that have been left over; ironically, however, it was the Lakers themselves whom created and profited greatly from this system over the past few decades, and now the time has come for some <i>poetic justice</i> after having so many opponents crushed under their feet for so long. Sadly, for now, all that they have left to stay somewhat relevant in the league and in the minds of sports fans is their illustrious history and lasting legacy they have imprinted on the sports world; however, if they rely on that, they run the chance of falling into the same trap as their former longtime rival <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116274984352579031823" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">+Boston Celtics</span></a> have sadly slipped into--with both the organization and fans being stuck so far in the past that they never move forward.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It took centuries for the World's Greatest Empires such as Rome, Greece, the Great Chinese Dynasties, and the Ottomans to come crashing down and just like them, the Lakers lie in the rubble now wiped away by the annals of history probably never to be seen again; however, unlike those past empire that grew too big and ending up crashing upon their own weight, the Lakers have a chance to rebuild themselves and hopefully return to the greatness and acclaim that they once relished. Unfortunately, looking at the league now, especially almost impregnable Western Conference, it will take a very long time, perhaps even a decade for the Lakers to return to its once opulent position it once enjoyed, and it will take a lot of patience on the part of their fans, as well as plenty of trial and error on the part of the team's front office and coaching staff for that team to even have a chance to do so. Once thing for certain, it will not happen under the tenure of current coach <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/coaches/_/id/3483/byron-scott" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Byron </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Scott</span></a>, who proved to be absolutely awful, but may stay longer than he should because of the organization's unwillingness to let go of the past and accept the fact that the time for their team has long passed. Another dead weight that also keeps the Lakers tethered to the past and unable to remake themselves is that 25$ million dollar dinosaur that refuses to let go of the reins and the reality that he is no longer among the league's elite players anymore. Until they can shed all that baggage, it will just be one bad season after the other with fans clutching to the past because they no longer have anything to hope for in the future. </span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-88117790542714486742015-05-13T14:33:00.001-04:002015-05-13T14:46:18.883-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 28. Philadelphia 76ers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
Projection:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">30-52, fourth place Atlantic Division, thirteenth place Eastern
Conference </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual Finish:</span><span style="font-size: large;"> 18-64,
fourth place Atlantic Division, fourteenth place Eastern Conference </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Projected 2014/2015
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;">26</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015
Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;"><span style="color: red;">28</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
Statistics and League Rank</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 92.0 (29<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 101.0 (20<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .408 (30<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .449 (15<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FT%: .676 (30<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .320 (29<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 42.9 (19<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 46.3 (30<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 16.9 (30<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 15.9 (2<sup>nd</sup>)</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Individ</span>ual
Statistical Leaders</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): Tony Wroten (16.9)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: Nerlens Noel (8.1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: Nerlens Noel (30.8)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: Ish Smith (6.1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: Henry Sims (.474)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage: Isaiah Canaan (.850)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: Hollis Thompson (.401)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: Nerlens Noel (1.8)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: Nerlens Noel (1.9)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113121403455424294516" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">+Nerlens </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Noel</span></a></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN87_XnU4tobnY91CwGMS372IQminRIat7y-C7wtoCygQiUdVsQDfP6Xr4UxgyuG-nAIgxBnMmvMym0RnqmtcePtIXrXd2auFN234h95cKECoX7dP7BUd4kmGw4Vye7DKGDE2ts5n35Y/s1600/nerlens+noel+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN87_XnU4tobnY91CwGMS372IQminRIat7y-C7wtoCygQiUdVsQDfP6Xr4UxgyuG-nAIgxBnMmvMym0RnqmtcePtIXrXd2auFN234h95cKECoX7dP7BUd4kmGw4Vye7DKGDE2ts5n35Y/s1600/nerlens+noel+2015.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">After missing the entire season due to injury, Nerlens Noel came onto the floor for the first time as an NBA professional basketball player and although he did not knock people off their seats, he certainly made his presence felt as the overall leader of the team. The 6' 11" big man was the primary option in the paint as the team's sole solid defensive presence leading it in rebounds, blocked shots, along with steals per game and although he was not much of a factor on the offensive end, his 9.9 points per game and his .462 field goal percentage showed that there is something there to develop. In time, Nerlens Noel will develop into a solid NBA caliber center and once his teammate, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109570880499028047849" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">+Joel </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Embiid</span></a>, who just like him, also missed his inaugural season due to injury, suits up next season, Philly may have quite the twin tower duo which has never been seen for quite some time--30 years to be exact. Hopefully the team's front office will not, once again, pull off some cockamamie move splitting the two in order to get another draft pick the same way it did with <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100603740768032990854" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">+Michael Carter-Williams</span></a>, trading him to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115832581668320354874" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">+Milwaukee Bucks</span></a> for little, if anything and actually do what they promised Philly fans and start building a competitive team. Nevertheless, in his inaugural season, although he has yet to prove that he is a franchise player whom the team can build around, he has certainly shown that he can be a vital piece to the Sixers' ongoing reconstruction. </span> </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Face to Forget: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100603740768032990854" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">+Michael Carter-Williams</span></a> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aprOZB9yNWimuNUGoWJw3W5aSIIu8-WNvrT-Rg96rfgGYi4_Oqn81lFt2EcYmbMBAADKiE2i1srvDNIv1COEPt1Rw9eyF5bxUjofp2o3kIJks230k-ntG3RpoxR0yEEsdiwjVDVHJxo/s1600/michael+carter+williams+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aprOZB9yNWimuNUGoWJw3W5aSIIu8-WNvrT-Rg96rfgGYi4_Oqn81lFt2EcYmbMBAADKiE2i1srvDNIv1COEPt1Rw9eyF5bxUjofp2o3kIJks230k-ntG3RpoxR0yEEsdiwjVDVHJxo/s1600/michael+carter+williams+2015.jpg" width="412" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The news of his sudden departure was mind-boggling to say the least--how can the Sixers' front office simply trade away such a talented and gifted player in Michael Carter Williams, who had earned the Rookie of the Year the previous year and was supposed to be key piece in the rebuilding process for nothing more than a low first round pick? Numerous fans and observers from all over seemed completely dumbfounded at the fact that Philly simply gave up on such a prize of a players whose size (6'6" 190), athletic ability, as well with his amazing skill set making him possibly one of the most intriguing young players in the NBA. Sure he was not that great a shooter with his .396 field goal percentage and his even worse .235 from beyond the arc, but surely his ability to not only penetrate, passing ability (6.7 apg) as well as his rebounding prowess (5.3 per game--4th among the league among point guards) would certainly have compensated. Now he is on an up an coming Bucks team which made the playoffs next season and looks to improve with every following season while the Sixers continue to wallow at the bottom with the front office having no real clue of what it wants to do. For Sixers fans, this is simply another slap across the face as they continue to witness their team's bungling while losing what little hope they had that it will finally get itself back together.</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">To write about the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104029868095544588252" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">+Philadelphia </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">76ers</span></a> is a daunting and frustrating challenge because it is hard to read them let alone analyze or review what they actually did during the 2015 regular season because it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever--here is a team that is SO bad, that they even fail at trying to be bad falling two games short of the worst record in the league. What is even worse about this already sad sack of a franchise is despite the fact that it continues to promised its much beleaguered fan base that its plan is to build for the future, but it does not even seem that the Sixers have any real idea where to start after the team traded last season's Rookie of the Year winner to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115832581668320354874" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">+Milwaukee Bucks</span></a> for absolutely nothing in return. Sure they received a first round pick from the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109870053628419941069" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Phoenix </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;">Suns</span></a> in the deal; however, that pick is Lottery protected and is currently held by the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111410703357000754962" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Los An</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">geles Lakers</span></a>--a pick that they will most likely keep for not only draft, but for the next two years after that seeming that it loses its protected status by 2018 (<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/2/19/8071677/brandon-knight-trade-michael-carter-williams-suns-bucks-sixers" target="_blank">2/19/2015</a>). One really has to question the reasoning behind the deal because Philly already had a quality player in Michael Carter-Williams who was probably going to be an all star for many years to come, but traded him for a pick that may or may not materialize for the next three years and may not be any where the caliber that MCW was. As with everything that occurred of the course of the past five and a half months, the deal along with the rest of the season all stinks to high heaven leaving fans who have spent their hard earned money for season tickets wondering whether or not they will ever see team ever be competitive again. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">That is why it is no fan writing about the Sixers because criticizing them is pretty much a waste of time because it is Philly's primary goal to stay extremely bad as long as possible so they can remain low enough in order to get a better chance at the number one overall pick, which has yet to happen, by the way. It must be that the powers of fate and chance have almost assured that the Sixers never get the number one pick no matter how terrible they try to be because even they see how undeserving Philly is by its blatant abuse of the lottery system that favors teams with the worst records with the best chances of earning the first overall pick in the draft. Even the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" target="_blank">+NBA</a> has grown disgusted by Philly's absolute unwillingness to even try being competitive and has gone as far to discuss changing the entire draft structure throwing out the entire idea of even having a lottery, replacing it a system that prevents teams from tanking their seasons in order to get a top five pick in the draft. One such proposal that was discussed was to eliminate the lottery altogether, a "wheel of rotating draft picks" that would ensure a team with a top overall draft pick at least once every thirty years--a system that would be so complex that would take away any incentive for a team to even attempt to tank their season (<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/nba-discussing-proposal-away-draft-lottery-eliminate-tanking-192755179--nba.html" target="_blank">12/23/2013</a>). Unfortunately, such a drastic action will never be accepted by the league's Board of Governors, but at least it is a sign that the sporting world is sick and tired watching teams like the Sixers take advantage of a system that was meant to balance out the competition in the league.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Simply talking about this past season can be considered as an absolute waste of time because the story is always the same--Sixers lose, get blown out by large amount, will wait for next year's draft; however, with the completely illogical move of trading Michael Carter Williams, who was a potential star in the making, just in order to remain terrible has gone a step too far. To analyse and critique the team is almost an act in futility because there has been so much player turnover over the course of the season that it has been impossible to keep track of and that roster will continue to be constantly rotating players in and out thus removing any credibility that Philly even knows what it is even doing, let alone has a plan for the future. It has become abundantly how clueless the 76ers have become when the team has gone through three GMs in the last four year which makes any logical person in sound mind ask the question: how can a team even think of rebuilding when it cannot even find someone to keep long enough to even try and start to carry out such an undertaking? It almost seems as if the Sixers have been literally throwing darts blindfolded hoping to see where one will even hit the board and that is no way to run a franchise or any for profit organization for that matter. If a CEO of a major corporation told shareholders that his or her plan was to completely trash the company, sell off its best assets, and devalue its stock to the point of invisibility, he or she would not just be fired, that person would literally be burnt at the stake for corporate heresy; so why has it been so allowable in the domain of sports where profit should come from winning and not from purposely trying to lose as the Sixers have been doing for the past couple of years.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It certainly does not make the team attractive to any prospective blue chip free agents who even though they may wish for a big pay day and the club has the resources to suit his desires, but has no prospects of winning in the near future; however, that is what Philly has been selling to fans with its #TogetherWeBuild shtick using their vast amounts of cap space and lottery status as the primary focus of the team's overall strategy. What is even worse is that most Sixer fans have bought into this rather nonsensical notion that all this forced upon suffering will magically yield some miracle and that the City of Brotherly Love will return to its place once again as the basketball mecca it once was during the eighties and into the nineties. Such insipid gullibility can be best coincides with the old saying: "fool me once, shame one you, but fool me twice, shame on me; or as former US President George W. Bush put it so eloquently, "fool me me once shame on you, but fool me twice . . . uh . . . well, you're not going to fool me again." It is a shame that fans are always at the mercy of such franchise that uses their hope as collateral only to once again flush the investment of unconditional love that they had given so willingly down the toilet simply because of no other simpler reason than it can. Just writing this post have become so disgustingly painful that to write any more would just lead to nausea if continued.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So with that, I will just STOP . . . </span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-60360414772966199192015-05-12T12:11:00.003-04:002015-05-12T12:11:34.236-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 29. New York Knicks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
Projection:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">42-40, second place Atlantic Division, eighth place Eastern
Conference</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual Finish:</span> <span style="font-size: large;">17-65,
fifth place Atlantic Division, fifteenth place Eastern Conference</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Projected 2012/2013
Finish</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 72pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">16</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015
Finish</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 72pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;">29</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
Statistics and League Rank</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 91.9 (30</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 101.2 (22</span><sup>nd</sup><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .428 (28</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .460 (27</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FT%: .769 (8</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .347 (15</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 40.4 (29</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 43.5(16</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 13.8 (17</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 13.4 (17</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Individual
Statistical Leaders</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): Carmelo Anthony (24.1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: Carmelo Anthony (6.6)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: Carmelo Anthony (35.7)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: Jose Calderon (4.7)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: Cole Aldrich (.478)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage: Jose Calderon (.910)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: Jose Calderon (.415)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: Shane Larkin (1.2)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: Samuel Dalembert (1.3)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100547623014182820437" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+Andrea </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">Bargnani</span></a> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Soon the drama which is Andrea Bargnarni will come to an end: the story of a wayward Italian boy selected first overall in the 2006 NBA Draft and the tumultuous years that would come thereafter. He never made the All Star team, but was certainly paid like one, and despite his best efforts, never got much, if any, as a player; however, this time he deserves the spotlight as he was the only Knick that was worth talking about this season. Although he spent the bulk of it on the the sidelines, he spent the final 29 games of the season carrying the team offensively averaging a rather efficient 16 points per game in just under 30 minutes of playing time. In the month of March, he certainly showed that he could still put up big numbers scoring at least fifteen or more points in all but 11 games he played in and was held to single digits just four times; however, as most of his most fervent of critics would point out, none of his performances ended up as wins. Despite the wasted sham of a season, at least Bargs still had a chance to show prospective NBA teams that there still is some "Il Mago" left in him. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Face to Forget: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/103130659537995939845" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+Carmelo </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">Anthony</span></a> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">After such an abysmal performance by both himself and his team, it is understandable if Melo chose to cut out of the season early and crawl under the nearest rock; however, on the flip side, it does not very good for a captain not to stay and go down with the ship. After all, he did choose to resign with the team despite having the opportunity to jump to a better situation where he would be in a better spot to have a chance to win a championship; yet, by doing that, he must have known that the road that he chose would not have easy to drive through in the least. In his defense, even he did not fathom that his team would fall so far considering the fact that his boss, Phil Jackson did make a concerted effort to surround him with solid veteran talent and had the team been at full strength at opening tip off, the Knicks could have at least been in the playoff chase for sure; instead, the team came into the regular season injury plagued and short handed leaving it vulnerable for dissection by the opposition. Anthony's inability to adjust to triangle offense did not help matters either--especially considering the fact that he was the primary focal point of the offense, giving him plenty of shot opportunities; nonetheless, he can hold solace in the fact that 18 wins will probably to the lowest the team can go and there is no where else to go but up. Hopefully, next season will erase this debacle as the Knicks come into the off-season with plenty of cap space and the chance to snag the number one overall pick in the Draft Lottery which gives Anthony as well as the fan who had so much faith in him a glimmer of hope for the future making this past season a distant memory.</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-US">At the opening tip-off of the 2015 <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" target="_blank">+NBA</a> Regular Season, the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117530429380139429277" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+New Y</span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">ork Knicks</span></a></span> came into the season with a better team, new coach, new management and a better outlook for the future as they made Carmelo Anthony the face, heart and soul of the franchise for the next five years; plus, by some voodoo or black magic, the team's new boss, <a href="http://www.ask.com/wiki/Phil_Jackson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">Phil </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">Jackson</span></a>, managed to snag draft picks and acquired a talented group of veterans to surround his star. Add the return of a healthy <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100483517375174544831" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Amar'e </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Stoudemire</span></a>, and a solid group of returning supporting cast players which consisted of <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2444" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">JR </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">Smith</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115366065410699481291" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: #660000;">+Iman </span><span style="background-color: #073763;">Shumper</span></span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">t</span></a>, Andrea Bargnarni, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113167522105888831312" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+Tim</span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;"> Hardaway Jr</span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">.</span></a>, and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102419941953001431325" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Pablo Prigioni</span></a>, among others, Knicks fans as well as the rest of basketball viewing world would be treated to team that not only had a chance to return to playoffs, but might just also challenge for the Atlantic Division Title. Fans also got teased in the off season as they watched their team gel rather well during the NBA Summer League as the players seemed quite at ease with the newly implemented "<a href="http://www.ask.com/wiki/Triangle_offense" target="_blank">Triangle Offense</a>" brought in by the team's new appointed head coach--Jackson's own protege, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/coaches/_/id/246/derek-fisher" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">Derek </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">Fisher</span></a>--which combined with the roster upgrades made the Knicks look like quite a formidable foe coming into November. Unfortunately, all these rosy projections turned into false hope and shattered dreams as fan and the rest of the world saw this one time historic franchise not only just stumble, but fall, crash and burn right in front of them finishing the league's second worst record and a rather prominent black eye. Now all Knick fans can do is throw their hand up in the air, call the season awash and eagerly await the off season where their will have access to the most salary cap space it has ever seen in more than a decade and a chance to attain the number one overall pick in this upcoming NBA Draft.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The season started well enough as the Knicks won two of the first three games and even the seven game losing skid which followed did not phase fans a bit as many considered those as "growing pains" in which the team will eventually turn things around as there were still 72 games to play; however, the losing did not stop there. After a short respite where New York went 2-2, their wounds would burst open once again and the Knicks simply started hemorrhaging as their finished December with just one win and continued to bleed out through 2015 thus making it quite apparent to not only fans, but the rest of the sporting world that there was no bouncing back for this team and it had become blatantly apparent that this team was headed nowhere. After witnessing the team he built crumble before him, Team President Phil Jackson had enough and decided to take matters into his own hands--first by trading away JR Smith and Iman Shunpert to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100683165118349235829" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Cleveland </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Cavaliers</span></a> for garbage player that would be waived soon after (<a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/knicks-trade-j-r-smith-iman-shumpert-to-cavaliers-in-housecleaning-deal-1.9776774" target="_blank">1/6/2015</a>), then buying out the remainder of Amare Stoudemire's expiring contract (<a href="http://www.nba.com/2015/news/02/16/knicks-buy-out-stoudemire.ap/" target="_blank">2/16/2015</a>), and trading away Pablo Prigioni to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104651471522091388043" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Houston Rockets</span></a> for another expiring contract and two second round picks (<a href="http://knickerblogger.net/knicks-trade-pablo-prigioni-to-the-rockets/" target="_blank">2/19/2015</a>). By All Star break, the team had been completely gutted with just four players under contract next season and with the team in complete disarray around him, both Jackson Knicks head coach Derek Fisher decided to show mercy to their beleaguered star and chose to sit Carmelo Anthony out for the rest of the season under the guise of recovery for a knee surgery (<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/2/12/8029273/carmelo-anthony-injury-knee-new-york-knicks" target="_blank">2/18/2015</a>). Although it officially ended in April, the Knicks had already packed in their season by January as they played out the rest of it with a skeleton crew roster just counting the days until the final horn sounding and they can finally put that sham of season behind them and finally start looking towards the future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Upon closer examination, what made this season such a shame was the fact that in the first two months, most of the losses that the Knicks had suffered were by single digits with 12 going down by five points or less, three in over time, and had the ball bounced their way in the last couple minutes or even a few seconds, their season would have probably ended far differently. In November, the Knicks went through a four game stretch where they lost by a total of 17 points, which is an average of just four points each, with two of them being decided by one basket; in addtion to those gut churning turn of events New York had equally heart wrenching moments such as the three point loss against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117740164364538373585" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Detroit </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Pistons</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578353" target="_blank">11/5/2014</a>), the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115832581668320354874" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">+Milwaukee Bucks</span></a> by four (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578448" target="_blank">11/18/2015</a>), the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104651471522091388043" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Houston Rockets</span></a> by five (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578494" target="_blank">11/24/2014</a>), the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107197977601900902096" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Dallas Mavericks</span></a> in overtime (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578506" target="_blank">11/26/2014</a>), and in spite holding them to just 86 points, lost to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116388234061758143958" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Miami </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">HEAT</span></a> by seven (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578537" target="_blank">11/30/2014</a>). Had the Knicks managed to hold on and win such nail biters against the Pistons, the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/114142060222176373436" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Orlando</span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"> Magic</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578405" target="_blank">11/12/2014</a>) and the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100541792472447759793" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">+Utah </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Jazz</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578418" target="_blank">11/14/2014</a>)--all of which were decided by just one basket--they would have started the season at 5-5 instead of 2-8 which would have probably been much better for the team's overall confidence and morale; however, the hands of fate would not allow it and waged a cruel campaign against the Knicks shattering both their resolve and collective self esteem. Add the two straight games where the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104597453028172833211" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">+Atlanta </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: red;">Hawks</span></a><span style="color: white;"> </span>squeezed past them (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578376" target="_blank">11/8</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578392" target="_blank">11/10</a>) as well as the Bucks game where both teams scored a whopping 230 points altogether, the Knicks would have been right in the thick of the Eastern Conference race with an 8-5 record and had they pulled out wins against Dallas, Houston and Miami, they would have started the season with a rather respectable 10-8 record which would have given them enough momentum to at least help split the four games they started December in which they lost by a total of just 14 points--less than four per game. Had the pendulum swung in their favor in many of those early hard fought losses, it probably would have been a far different season with the Knicks Probably earning a sixth or seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs instead of finishing with the second worse record in the NBA behind the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111231223957836734952" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">+Minnesota </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Timberwolves</span></a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Regardless of what may or may not have happened, either way the Knicks and their fans will be looking forward to an off season where they will not only have more than 50$ million in salary cap space as well as the chance to acquire the first overall pick in this upcoming NBA draft which is too bad of a consolation prize for finishing last place in the Eastern Conference; however, unlike most teams on the road to rebuilding, the Knicks do not have that much time on their hands. Carmelo Anthony has recently turned thirty and certainly did not envision spending the last five best playing years of his career on a rebuilding team especially since he signed a long term extension deal with the team and planned on finishing his career in the Big Apple thus the Knicks' front office will most certainly have plenty of pressure to ensure that their team bounces back from that horrible season as quickly as possible. If not, they will certainly have one unhappy player on their hands and as he ages, his performance as well as his overall market value will certainly diminish thus resulting in a toxic relationship that might just possibly sink the franchise and its star player to the point of no return which makes it even more imperative that the Knicks get the job right the first time as there is little room for trial and error. For both their sakes, Phil Jackson and his cronies in the Knicks' front office better come up big in free agency because unlike last season, the picking are rather slim compared to the last off season in terms of game changing free agents available and the patience of both his team's star and its fan base can be considered as rather slim to say the least; however, salary cap space is not a guarantee that he can get a difference maker and it may take a year or two for a lottery pick to make an immediate impact. He literally has his back on the wall as there will be numerous factors out of his control come the off season; plus, add the pressure of needing to succeed as soon as possible, Phil Jackson will definitely have a job on his hand to turn this team to a 16 game loser to championship contender.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The obvious step for next season for Phil is certainly to get the Knicks back into the playoffs which is not too much of a difficult task considering it just took 38 games to make it into the post season this year; however, that is still quite a daunting task considering the fact that his team is in rubble and be virtually has to build it back up from scratch. Hopefully with all the tools available at his disposal--the ridiculous amount of cap space that no Knick GM has had since FOREVER and the prospect of receiving, at worse, the second overall pick in this upcoming draft--Jackson will have what he need to make this team at least semi-respectable when the NBA restarts in October; plus, he also has the additional luxury to know build the team as he seems fit since he has a virtual clean canvas to do it on. Unfortunately, he works in an rather cynical, scrutinizing and unforgiving marketplace where every breath he makes, every move he makes, every bond he break, every step he takes . . . okay, you get the point--he will be watched very closely. Many would scoff at the idea that Phil will buckle under the pressure considering he took two team with very high standards in excellence to twelves NBA Finals winning eleven of them; however, what these same people do not understand is that there is a big difference between coaching a team that has been given to him compared to being in the background and building a team for someone else to coach. Perhaps his plan is to ultimately take over coaching duties once the team has been molded into his own image with all the pieces in place; however, if that is the case, he might just set himself up for failure if things fall awry. So let us all hope that for the sake of not only the NBA, but the sports world in general, that he can turn things around as soon as possible in the world's largest and most lucrative sports market because not only the people of New York, but the entire world needs to see this team be successful and time is not on his side. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-89055225143431794192015-05-10T08:39:00.000-04:002015-05-10T08:39:26.733-04:00SDH's 2014/2015 NBA End of Season Worst to First Countdown: 30. Minnesota Timberwolves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2014/2015
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: large;">23-59, fifth place Northwest Division, fifteenth place Western
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: large;">16-66,
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Actual 2014/2015
Finish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 96px; line-height: 110.400001525879px;"><span style="color: red;">30</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Team
Statistics and League Rank</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Scored: 97.8 (23<sup>rd</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Points
Allowed: 106.5 (30<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
FG%: .438 (24<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponent’s
FG%: .487 (30<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team FT%: .776 (6<sup>th</sup>) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Team
Three Point FG%: .332 (25<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: 40.9 (27<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
rebounds per game: 43.6 (17<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turnovers
per game: 14.3 (23<sup>rd</sup>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Opponents
turnovers per game: 14.6 (8<sup>th</sup>)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Scoring
(ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2394/kevin-martin" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">Kevin </span><span style="background-color: #444444; color: lime;">Martin</span></a> (20.0)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Rebounds
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2534781/gorgui-dieng" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">Gorgui </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Dieng</span></a> (8.3)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Minutes
per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3059319/andrew-wiggins" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">Andrew</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;"> Wiggins</span></a> (36.3)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Assists
per game: Ricky Rubio (8.8)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Field
Goal Percentage: Gorgui Dieng (.506)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Free
Throw Percentage: Kevin Martin (.888)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Three
Point FG Percentage: Kevin Martin (.393)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steals
per game: Ricky Rubio (1.7)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blocked
Shots per game: Gorgui Dieng (1.7)</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Hero to Honor: </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101605281491244075937" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime; font-size: x-large;">+Andrew </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime; font-size: x-large;">Wiggins</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKu6wQ2Kt7Gnl6JnrWSnSggkiSbDGL356jf1ryaihyYf6EX-s445BNocz7CsOTuMQ2cvdJpPPiTarOvR3DERyVAxPfjIwTgHEwC3QFR2ql1y58ruMUFVpkiIzYaL7VtYtFmdcJ4E2lXo/s1600/anthony+wiggins+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKu6wQ2Kt7Gnl6JnrWSnSggkiSbDGL356jf1ryaihyYf6EX-s445BNocz7CsOTuMQ2cvdJpPPiTarOvR3DERyVAxPfjIwTgHEwC3QFR2ql1y58ruMUFVpkiIzYaL7VtYtFmdcJ4E2lXo/s1600/anthony+wiggins+2015.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Those who have doubted that Wiggins has what it takes to be a cornerstone of a franchise must have been certainly quelled given his rather impressive debut on the NBA scene. Upon entering the league, the Canadian who was selected first overall by the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100683165118349235829" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Cleveland </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Cavaliers</span></a>, but then traded to the Wolves for <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100229200866327518997" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Kevin </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Love</span></a>, was scrutinized by media pundits and scouts on everything from his shot mechanics and dribbling skills to his character and ability to lead a franchise; however, after a rocky start, he turned his game up a notch and silenced any doubters of his All Star potential. The 19 year old certainly proved himself not to be a "hoser" as he led the team in scoring while improving his point production every moths from the paltry 12.3 points per game he finish November with to the whopping 23.3 per game he finished by season's end. Not only has he proven himself the elite scorer that many were skeptical of him being, but he has shown signs thanks to his length and athleticism that he has the potential to be on of the league's elite defenders as well. Although he had little or no competition for the rookie of the year race, Wiggins has certainly made it known that not only does he deserve the award, but also that he has a very long and bright future in the NBA. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SDH’s Face to Forget: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2991473/anthony-bennett" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">Anthony </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Bennett</span></a></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMzqHJ4jIcV8fxa8etzsMvQ139mheRVkW2LwjifiekGKAI47wgAtsWZ29TGV2Lsp1HJ_9iJDczwTRWfG-Gt4ulM5RawNaeg60i98h3lW9PyfWfGeLKOu6ZOPUkP0ET7P48FoZ5A0tPs8/s1600/anthony+bennett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMzqHJ4jIcV8fxa8etzsMvQ139mheRVkW2LwjifiekGKAI47wgAtsWZ29TGV2Lsp1HJ_9iJDczwTRWfG-Gt4ulM5RawNaeg60i98h3lW9PyfWfGeLKOu6ZOPUkP0ET7P48FoZ5A0tPs8/s1600/anthony+bennett.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We now shift the discussion from one Canadian basketball player who has lived up to the expectations of being selected the number overall pick in the draft to the previous one, who has thus far failed miserably to achieve such feats. Last season, Anthony Bennett went down in NBA history as possibly the worst ever rookie performance for a number one overall pick and had the opportunity to remake himself upon arriving to Minnesota with his teammate and fellow countryman Andrew Wiggins. Unfortunately, his sophomore season was almost equally as bad as his freshman year in the NBA as he was almost a non-factor on the team appearing in just 57 games, and posted such pedestrian number as 5.2 points and 3.8 boards in just 15 minutes per game. He started the season pretty good finishing the month of November with 7.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting a rather efficient .532 from the field; however, that was sort lived as both his production, his playing time, and his place in the roster's rotation soon began to disappear. There is still hope that at the age of 22 along with his versatile skill set and size, he can still salvage himself a somewhat decent NBA career; however, do not expect him to be anything more than a solid role player, because if his play is a sign of what may come, his ceiling as a player has possibly already been reached. </span> </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-large;">To be a <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111231223957836734952" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">+Minnesota </span><span style="background-color: #444444; color: lime;">Timberwolves</span></a> fan has certainly been an exercise in masochism as NBA fans in that state have been forced to endure not only countless losing seasons, but a failed rebuilding period to go along with very poor executive decisions from their team's head office which resulted in the departure of another franchise player caliber star in Kevin Love just to see the team start from scratch once again. This time the Wolves started with a new foundation built on the number one overall pick in the NBA draft, a long and athletic Canadian teenager who turned pro after completing his freshman year at the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112753784320920766688" target="_blank">+University of Kansas </a>, to go along with a crew of ragtag misfits who were just as young, inexperienced, and physically out-matched as he was. It did not help when what little veteran presence the team had were sidelined for the majority of the season leaving the rest of the team, comprised of either teenagers or young men who had just reached the twenties to fend for themselves. As can be expected, such a team that was so ill-equipped to compete in a grown man's league was made short work of by the more seasoned opponents and made their poor young cubs look less like "Timber Wolves," and more like "Timid Lambs" who were sent to the slaughter; nonetheless, despite the horrific and traumatic outcome to those poor souls, there can still be some positive signs of hope for the future. This team has a roster that can be considered a virtual treasure chest of young talent mixed with veteran experience and had the Wolves been at full strength, they certainly would have given any NBA team a run for its money; Plus, fans can hold solace in the fact that with a 16 win finish, that will be the lowest their team will probably ever go thus giving a sense of hope that there will be nowhere else to go but up.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-large;">Even though the season was a complete wash, there were still a bright spots that shined through an otherwise bleak and dismal season which was primarily highlighted by Minnesota's young core of rookies and sophomores led by their two 19 year old phenoms Anthony Wiggins and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107749750101715818578" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">+Zach </span><span style="background-color: #444444; color: lime;">LaVine</span></a>--both of whom virtually carried their inexperienced and injury plagued team throughout the entire 82 games. Wiggins shined brightest of all as he proved worthy of his first overall draft status as he led the team in scoring in place of the injured Kevin Martin thus earning him NBA Rookie of the Year Honors; however, the biggest surprise had to be LaVine--a player who at first was not expected to play at all, but was suddenly thrust into the spotlight thanks to injuries of the team's starting point guard, Ricky Rubio. At first LaVine seemed quite overwhelmed often resembling a deer caught in headlights, but a the season progressed, he grew from an insecure youth who often looked confused and unsure of his rose on the court and blossomed into a a much confident player who showed that at the tender age of 19, he can still certainly hold his own in the NBA. His first two months came with a mixed bag as he both gave what looked to be a solid contribution on the court with his 9.0 points, 2.5 five rebounds, and close to four assists per game, but those impressive numbers were offset by his rather shaky shooting (.404 FG%, .256 3ptFG%) which can be considered understandable considering his age as well as his limited experience and understanding of the professional game. Unfortunately, LaVine would struggle the next two months of the season as both his playing time and his production would see dramatic decreases to the point where he finished the month of February averaging just 4.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.4 assist per game in just under 12 minutes of playing time; however, upon the start of March, he suddenly reawakened posting his best numbers of the season with 13.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting an amazing .426 from beyond the arc--and he was not finished yet.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-large;">As if his sudden emergence was not good enough, LaVine took his game to stratospheric levels as he resembled an All Star finishing the month of April with 21.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game while shooting rather proficiently at .470 in the last 15 games of the regular season thus making his rookie performance almost as impressive as his 2014 NBA Draft classmate, Andrew Wiggins. Wolves fans had to be delighted at the prospect of both their highly touted rookies exceeding even the most optimistic of projections, but that was not the last of good news as they would receive even more glad tidings and hope for the future with the breakout performances from second year players <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100733422216774450709" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">+Gorgui </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Dieng</span></a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2993875/shabazz-muhammad" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">Shabbaz </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Muhammad</span></a>--two players who did not show much in their rookie years last season, but virtually stole the show from their most seasoned veteran teammates. Similar to LaVine, Dieng was thrust onto the center stage thanks to the unforeseen season ending injury of the Wolves' high priced center <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104638687804277966246" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">+Nikola </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Pekovic</span></a> and did not fail to disappoint as he posted a rather respectable showing of 9.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocked shots in the 73 game he played--49 of which he started; however, Dieng would be outdone by Muhammad, who went from being an absolute disappointment his rookie year to a far improved sophomore campaign. His rather poor rookie performance both on and off the court had placed Muhammad on the team's "Black List" and was expected to be discarded by mid season, but he bounced back his second year showing a far more improved, mature and focused player than he was before and turn him in the eyes of Wolves fan from "Complete Zero" to "Fan Hero." Although his season was cut short after just 38 games, his bounce back performance from his forgettable rookie campaign was rather noteworthy as he came of the bench to average 13.5 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting a rather proficient .489 from the field and .392 from the three point line in number 23 minutes of playing time per game and had he continued playing, he probably would have been in the running for the league's Most Improved Player Award had he not been sidelined for the remainder of the regular season.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-large;">So in spite of all of the chaos and turmoil that had marked this 2014-2015 campaign, Wolves fans still had plenty to cheer for thanks to the superb breakout performances of their team's two rookies as well as the rather notable contributions of two second year players to go along with it; however, the good times would not end there as they would be given an extra treat to help digest the prospect of a long road ahead until their team becomes respectable. By the league's mid season trade deadline, they would receive to surprise parting gifts in big men <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104185583760531679322" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">+Adreian</span><span style="background-color: #444444; color: lime;"> Payne</span></a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6590/justin-hamilton" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">Justin </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Hamilton</span></a>--two players that saw little if any playing time in their former teams, but upon arriving in Minnesota, made the executives whom callously discarded them look like complete fools as they too proved their worth with impressive finishing performances. Upon being drafted by the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104597453028172833211" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">+Atlanta</span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: red;"> Hawks</span></a>, Payne had not seen any playing time whatsoever either spending much of his rookie season either riding the pine at the end of the bench or bumming around with the team's <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104900986448661864593" target="_blank">+NBA DLeague</a> affiliate, the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111535398059903393807" target="_blank">+Bakersfield Jam</a>; however, upon arriving to Minnesota he proved to be quite a valuable asset providing a solid 7.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in the last 29 games of the season. Hamilton had spent much of his NBA career bouncing from the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116388234061758143958" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Miami </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">HEAT</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117085501640270338175" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Charlotte </span><span style="background-color: #444444; color: cyan;">Hornets</span></a> as well as the D-League, but had a chance to prove his truth worth in the last 17 games of the season with the Wolves where he put forth a solid performance that will certainly give numerous NBA teams the incentive to give him a second look with his 9.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Both Payne and Hamilton would have either spent the rest of their seasons either rotting in the bench or rushing to find their next paycheck had not the Wolves opened their arm to them and they showed their appreciation by giving solid contributions making it not only a beneficial transaction for both parties, but also more seeds of hope for a fan base that has suffered for so long.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">After all the turnover as well as the turmoil that has marred this past season, the Timberwolves have emerged from it much stronger than it ever has been with the prospects of having two potential superstars in Wiggins and Lavine as well as two emerging young talents in Dieng, Muhammad, Payne and Hamilton to go along with returning veterans <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107771861986395585327" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">+Ricky</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;"> Rubio</span></a>, Kevin Martin, Nikola Pekovic and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3968/chase-budinger" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">Chase </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Buddinger</span></a>. Not only Wolves fans, but head coach <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/coaches/_/id/1591/flip-saunders" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">Flip </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Saunders</span></a>, must be salivating at the prospect of having all those players coming back next season as they could form quite an impressive nucleus to build upon for years to come and add the fact that they enter the off season with a chance to attain possibly the number one overall pick in this summer's NBA Draft makes the future even brighter for a franchise and a fan base that have had very little to be cherry about. Just picture all the amazing highlights with Rubio at the helm pushing the ball with two young studs in LaVine and Wiggins on each side with Dieng, Bennett, Buddinger, and Muhammad witing in the wings for an alley-oop; however, all of this is just fantasy unless the team is is at full strength--a problem in which Minnesota has suffered to ensure for over the past few year. So here's to keeping an open mind and optimistic attitude because right now that is all that T-Wolves fans have at this moment; however, at least both the team and fans have something going for them and that is that they cannot get any lower than they already are.</span> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-39340521868378478832015-02-22T14:39:00.003-05:002015-02-22T14:42:00.943-05:00SDH's 2014/2015 Worst to First Countdown for the First "Slap-mester" (Oct/Nov/Dec): 21. Orlando Magic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/114142060222176373436" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc; font-size: x-large;">+Orlando </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc; font-size: x-large;">Magic</span></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Win/Loss Record as of December 31st,
2014:</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>13-22, fourth place Southeast
Division, 9<sup>th</sup> Place Eastern Conference <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Projected 2014/2015 Finish</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 72pt;"><a href="http://slapdoghoops.blogspot.com/2014/10/sdhs-20142015-nba-worst-to-first.html" target="_blank">30</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Current Rank as of December 31st</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Team Statistics and League Rank as of December 31st, 2014: </span></div>
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<li>Points Scored: 94.2 (29<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Points Allowed: 99.1 (12<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team FG%: .458 (15<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponent’s FG%: .458 (19<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team FT%: .722 (26<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team Three Point FG%: .374 (5<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Rebounds per game: 40.9 (24<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponents rebounds per game: 42.8 (16<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Turnovers per game: 14.4 (22<sup>nd</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponents turnovers per game: 12.4 (25<sup>th</sup>)</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Individual Statistical Leaders as of
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<li>Scoring (ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6440/tobias-harris" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Tobias </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Harris</span></a> (18.5)</li>
<li>Rebounds per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6478/nikola-vucevic" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Nikola </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Vucevic</span></a> (11.9)</li>
<li>Minutes per game: Tobias Harris (35.4)</li>
<li>Assists per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2583639/elfrid-payton" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Elfrid </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Payton</span></a> (5.2)</li>
<li>Field Goal Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2580913/dewayne-dedmon" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Dewayne </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Dedmon</span></a>
(.537)</li>
<li>Free Throw Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2004/willie-green" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Willie </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Green</span></a> (.850)</li>
<li>Three Point FG Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2754/channing-frye" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Channing </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Frye</span></a> (.417)</li>
<li>Steals per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2527963/victor-oladipo" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Victor </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Oladipo</span></a> (1.5)</li>
<li>Blocked Shots per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6615/kyle-o'quinn" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Kyle </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">O’Quinn</span></a>
(1.1)</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Worst of the Class: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/6614/andrew-nicholson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Andrew </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Nicholson</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two years ago he had a surprising rookie performance as he averaged eight points and three rebounds in just under 17 minutes per game while shooting .527 from the field. With such an impressive rookie performance to go along with his balanced mix of size, skills and athleticism, Nicholson looked as if he had the potential to be an elite player for years come. Unfortunately, that all changed the following year when he followed up his inspiring rookie campaign with a less than stellar sophomore effort where his numbers and efficiency dropped across the board as this supposed shooting star suddenly has fizzled away. Now in his third season, he has both fallen out of favor with the coach Jacque Vaughn as well as out of the rotation with the off season acquisitions of Channing Frye and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3064290/aaron-gordon" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Aaron </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Gordon</span></a>. Now he has went from becoming a up and coming player who could of been a piece of Orlando's puzzle to becoming dead weight looking to be cut off.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First of the Class: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6588/evan-fournier" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">Evan </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Fournier</span></a></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxaxNJb65_AiiXlaWMeuI0Y8AYRe_p-VoLUHx7E3pKvw0Jq6wnuKGcBnq25iTDWwvB2HjGk5MZyA_cNORylRBq1y9gQVKQ5S7LZZLo7doIHOMPYnii5bD2za2-NvNip_ayDMvXVLoJpw/s1600/evan+fournier+nov+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxaxNJb65_AiiXlaWMeuI0Y8AYRe_p-VoLUHx7E3pKvw0Jq6wnuKGcBnq25iTDWwvB2HjGk5MZyA_cNORylRBq1y9gQVKQ5S7LZZLo7doIHOMPYnii5bD2za2-NvNip_ayDMvXVLoJpw/s1600/evan+fournier+nov+2014.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It seems as if the Magic has cornered the market in the "diamonds in the rough" department picking up players who had been discarded by their previous teams only to become major contributors as in the cases of Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic. Nonetheless, the Magic seemed to have found another hidden gem in Evan Fournier, a player who could find a place on the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102060184805262212846" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: orange;">+Denver</span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;"> Nuggets</span></a> roster, acquiring him in an off season deal in which Orlando sent veteran swing man <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102015170814917683347" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">+Arron </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Afflalo</span></a> in return. In what looked like a rather one sided deal that favored Denver, it would be the Magic that would get the better of the deal as the young Frenchman exploded as he started the season posting a career high of 15.4 points per game while shooting a scintillating .414 from behind the arc at the end of November. He certainly proved to be a better acquisition than Afflalo, who stumbled out of the gates and has struggled with his offense while playing for Denver thus far. It only goes to show that you never know what you have until you throw it away and both the coaching staff as well the front office of the Nuggets must be kicking themselves the same way that the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104029868095544588252" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">+Philadelphia </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">76ers</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111410703357000754962" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Los Ang</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">eles Lakers</span></a> did in that whole <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/105076569159070683815" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Dwight Howard</span></a> debacle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two years after the monumental trade that bid farewell to their one time franchise player Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic continue to remain at the bottom of the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" target="_blank">+NBA</a> totem pole; however, they are in far better shape than the three other teams that took part in that infamous deal. Both the Lakers and Sixers were expected to benefit the most from the deal with LA. acquiring Howard and Philly picking up another all star big man in <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102879064698573614944" target="_blank">+Andrew Bynum</a>; however both have been reduced to rubble as Howard fled the Hollywood spotlight for the Texas sun while Bynum became a complete non-factor and is no longer playing. The third team that was involved in that ill-fated deal, the Denver Nuggets, was the least scarred as they would part with Arron Afflalo, a player who would soon later emerge as Orlando's leading scorer and a potential All Star candidate. Nonetheless, they would end up getting bitten in the real when they brought him back to the fold and watch as the player they simply discarded for him exploded for a career season while they watched Afflalo falter in his return to the Mile High City. Now Orlando stands the tallest among the fray as they not only have one of the most promising young teams in the league, but also have not just one, or two, but three All Star talents to build their franchise around.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Upon arriving in Central Florida, no one expected Nikola Vucevic--a player that was picked very late in the first round four years ago--to become anything more than being a solid role player off the bench which was why Philly was so willing to part with him for the the more recognizable Bynum; however, the Sixers now rue the day that they ever underestimated the Serbian big man. Now three years and two double-double seasons later, Vucevic has emerged as one of the top centers in the league and almost certain candidate for the Eastern Conference All Star team averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds per game coming into 2015. Similar to Vucevic, Tobias Harris was another young player who was cruelly discarded by his former team, the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115832581668320354874" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">+Milwaukee Bucks</span></a>, who certainly did not know what they had nor did they care to find out; however, now he has emerged alongside Vucevic as not only a candidate for the All Star team, but also for the Most Improved Player of the Year. The 6'9" swing man has lead his team in scoring averaging nearly 19 points per game, along with grabbing seven boards and shooting at a rather impressing .380 from beyond the three point line thus making him one of the league's bright up and coming young player alongside Vucevic--who happens to be his teammate as well. Add Even Fournier into the mix, who was also considerably underestimated by his former team, the Nuggets, and you have a very scary three headed monster capable of putting up potentially 55 points per game thus rivaling any three man combo in the NBA.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Although it has not shown in their 13-22 record, with three potential All Stars in its possession along with one of the deepest treasure troves of young talent in the NBA, the Magic are on the cusp of something great and are basically one player away from becoming a contender for not only the playoffs, but possibly winning the Eastern Conference one day. Here is a team whom despite its youth and inexperience has chemistry which rivals even the most seasoned of NBA veteran clubs as it ranks among the best in the league in team field goal percentage and three point field goal percentage as well as being among the best in keeping their opponents scoring as well. Although they may rank near at the bottom in the league in rebounds and turnovers per game, that can explained by primarily their impressive field goal accuracy which diminishes the availability of potential rebounds; plus, their turnovers are not as bad a they seem considering the fact that their 14 per game basically mirrors almost half of the league. If this talented group of youngsters only had a veteran superstar to rally around and run the show while at the same time providing the necessary leadership to take it to the next level the same way that <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102367169990784136666" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: red;">+Chris </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">Paul</span></a> has done with the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100429518756699636111" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: red;">+Los Angeles</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"> Clippers</span></a>, the Magic would simply be unstoppable. And it does not even to be an established star such as Paul either, but simply a player who has shown the potential to become not only a great passer, scorer and defender as Paul, but also have the personality and the charisma to lead his teammates by both example and the word.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Magic has certainly plenty going for it with its wealth of size, youth, athleticism and talent; however without the right player to bring all their strengths together, then whatever, if any, potential they have in becoming a true contender in the East will all but evaporate. Right now there are such players whose names are being circulated in trade rumors whom although may not have the name recognition as the more established point guards in the league, still have the potential to rise above their ranks and become that player of the future. One such player is Reggie Jackson of the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">City Thunder</span></a>, who after posting All Star like numbers that rivaled his teammate <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106768208783344578674" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Russell </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">Westbrook</span></a> in the month of November may want the chance to lead his own team instead of providing support for another All Star. Jackson might consider changing addresses as he will be a restricted free agent come the end of the season and with a wealth of cap space that the Magic have gathered over the last few years, they might just be able to outbid OKC for his services even though the Thunder will have the right to match any salary that any team offers him. Another option is the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109870053628419941069" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Phoenix</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;"> Suns</span></a>' <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/110237824229863930022" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Goran</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;"> Dragic</span></a>, who is also coming off another exceptional season, but with his impending free agency and the fact that he has been playing in a rather crowded backcourt sharing the ball handling duties with teammates <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107197117377489859990" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Eric</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;"> Bledsoe</span></a><span style="background-color: #999999;"> </span> and Isaiah Thomas, he may also be ripe for the picking as well for Orlando. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps the best option to go for in free agency is <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/103737088110740507590" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Rajon </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Rondo</span></a>--a player who can dominate a game without scoring one basket and who passing skills and leadership on both ends of the floor can quickly make this young Orlando team jump from lottery lingerer to playoff contender. Rondo would certainly be the best fit on the team as he is a player who has the innate ability to get the best out of his teammates and unlike most of the other top point guards in the league, will not dominate the ball on offense taking away much needed touches from his teammates. His accolades and credentials both on and off the court would serve as an excellent example to all the younger players, and will prove to be an excellent mentor to rookie Elfrid Payton and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113859442195400602019" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Victor </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Oladipo</span></a>--two players whom the franchise plans to be the back court of the future. Regardless, whoever they decide to get, the Magic need to strike while the iron is hot or they will have to settle with another sub-par season once again returning to the lottery and that will not bode well for the team's head coach, Jacque Vaughn. Although he deserves a majority of the credit for the team's solid disciplined play, excellent chemistry as well as its rather swift maturity, after three straight losing seasons, he may just find himself without a job if he continues this losing trend.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Nonetheless, despite the team's rosy outlook and the assets at its disposal in terms of players as well as cap space, the Magic are still a work in progress and will remain so unless something major happens--which will most likely happen in the off season. Having three off their players with breakout seasons will certainly help fans remain optimistic for the time being, but there is still much more work to be done until this band of young talents are able to rise to the occasion. Fortunately for the Magic, unlike the rather repressive Western Conference where opportunity to advance anywhere but the eighth playoff spot is fleeting at best, the Eastern Conference is pretty wide open and they have the ability to make a run late in the season for a potential post season run. Right now they are in ninth place, but regardless of whether or not they are able to make the playoffs this season, one thing remains certain: for a team that was expected to be in shambles for years to come, the Orlando Magic still remain a head above the rest of the teams that were supposed to be contenders after the infamous deal that sent their disgruntled superstar packing.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-58018048798741800802015-02-12T14:33:00.002-05:002015-02-12T14:33:34.225-05:00SDH's 2014/2015 Worst to First Countdown for the First "Slap-mester" (Oct/Nov/Dec): 22. Boston Celtics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116274984352579031823" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white; font-size: x-large;">+Boston Celtics</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Win/Loss Record as of December 31st,
2014: </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>10-18, third place Atlantic
Division, 10<sup>th</sup> Place Eastern Conference<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Projected 2014/2015 Finish</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Current Rank as of December 31st</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Team Statistics and League Rank as of
December 31st, 2014: </span></div>
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<li>Points Scored: 103.3 (7<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Points Allowed: 104.4 (28<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team FG%: .460 (13<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponent’s FG%: .459 (20<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team FT%: .756 (15<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team Three Point FG%: .324 (26<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Rebounds per game: 43.5 (11<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponents rebounds per game: 42.8 (17<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Turnovers per game: 14.8 (25<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponents turnovers per game: 14.2 (13<sup>th</sup>)</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Individual Statistical Leaders as of
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<li>Scoring (ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3209/jeff-green" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">Jeff Green</span></a> (18.9)</li>
<li>Rebounds per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6624/jared-sullinger" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">Jared Sullinger</span></a> (7.8)</li>
<li>Minutes per game: Jeff Green (33.6)</li>
<li>Assists per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2439/jameer-nelson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">Jameer Nelson</span></a> (6.3)</li>
<li>Field Goal Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6631/tyler-zeller" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">Tyler Zeller</span></a>
(.633)</li>
<li>Free Throw Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4239/evan-turner" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">Evan Turner</span></a> (.890)</li>
<li>Three Point FG Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4017/marcus-thornton" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">Marcus Thornton</span></a> (.423)</li>
<li>Steals per game: Jameer Nelson (1.5)</li>
<li>Blocked Shots per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2489663/kelly-olynyk" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">Kelly Olynyk</span></a>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Worst of the Class:<span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;"> <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2745/brandon-bass" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">Brandon Bass</span></a></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TUmJOWzQO7Dz8PKYw-fxC_kf-M78Z3PlzeDz5gZFtmZZtreWfOMK0ogMbScQxNrLKol2x1v-xSM_w3v1yKaXMdw3hSSyJe0S4NHrF8gV0p4qxaQHfGzdiVdAEc_8u0uPg8FZm49y8M0/s1600/brandon+bass+nov+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TUmJOWzQO7Dz8PKYw-fxC_kf-M78Z3PlzeDz5gZFtmZZtreWfOMK0ogMbScQxNrLKol2x1v-xSM_w3v1yKaXMdw3hSSyJe0S4NHrF8gV0p4qxaQHfGzdiVdAEc_8u0uPg8FZm49y8M0/s1600/brandon+bass+nov+2014.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">It has become painfully aware to everyone how badly Brandon Bass has stuck out like a sore thumb over the past couple of years in the Celtics. He was originally signed as a complementary role player to <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113818765312487826000" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">+Paul </span><span style="background-color: red; color: blue;">Pierce</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113884421552414753664" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">+Kevin</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"> Garnett</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/114419290130178632171" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">+Ray Allen</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/103737088110740507590" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Rajon </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Rondo</span></a> during the Celtics' last golden age; however, now with that era over, he seems out of place on a team that is looking to forge a new identity. Instead of playing a vital role on his team, he now acts as an impediment to his teammates development taking away minutes that would otherwise go to a younger player. With his experience, knowing what he brings to an NBA team, and his expiring contract, it is surprising that Boston has not been able to unload him or found a viable trade partner. Perhaps the Celtics should do the right thing, waive him, and allow him a chance to play with a winning team while he still has some value left; otherwise it does not do neither himself or the Celtics any good to remain together.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First of the Class: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/coaches/_/id/52083/brad-stevens" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">Brad Stevens</span></a></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbepGZ2EJhIimHxGQCxRalRZgFQboDy_m_vdNo2cU4r8zXT3TbdEPoJzoWVx_tuLyJlEdo68lsjZQz0avBMwcj4U0QReLb2Sgd_1N1cRsq21ZyiIVfgCBfndrWJCXfS543TRWM32jmR5g/s1600/brad+stevens+nov+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbepGZ2EJhIimHxGQCxRalRZgFQboDy_m_vdNo2cU4r8zXT3TbdEPoJzoWVx_tuLyJlEdo68lsjZQz0avBMwcj4U0QReLb2Sgd_1N1cRsq21ZyiIVfgCBfndrWJCXfS543TRWM32jmR5g/s1600/brad+stevens+nov+2014.jpg" height="320" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">For a guy who was supposed to just oversee the collapse, demise and eventual rebuilding of this team, Brad Steven's has done an excellent job despite him coming into the league with literally no experience or credentials to be an NBA head coach. So far Stevens has had his team surpass their rather meager expectations put upon them as the Celtics currently sit at third place in the Atlantic Division. Not only that, but instead of wallowing at the bottom of the barrel as everyone expected, the Celtics actually have an outside chance of actually making the playoffs just being a couple of games away from the final spot in the East. Add the fact that the team consists of a hodgepodge of rejects, journeymen, and primarily discarded pieces and it makes Stevens' job as coach even more impressive considering that this may be not only the first, but maybe also last time that his players will ever play together. He may not deserve the Coach of the Year Award, but Steven certainly deserve recognition and credit for taking a team that no one expected anything from and turning it into a respectable competitor. </span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has been one of the biggest shocks of the 2014/2015 <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" target="_blank">+NBA</a> Season and no one has even taken time to take notice primarily because the entire league has experienced a monumental shift in the balance of power with the emergence of two unlikely heroes--the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104597453028172833211" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">+Atlanta </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: red;">Hawks</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117072717171084573790" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: yellow;">+Golden S</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue;">tate Warriors</span></a>--to the top of their respective conferences. Nonetheless, although they have been completely ignored by the mainstream sports media, the Boston Celtics have certainly surpassed the meager expectation of both the media and its fan base with its current third place standing in the Atlantic Division as well as being just two or three games from the eighth and final playoff spot. The Celtics certainly have not been playing like a team that many expected to be the perennial whipping boy of the league just falling short of the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104029868095544588252" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">+Philadelphia </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">76ers</span></a> for the title of "worst team in basketball." Instead the team has been rather competitive in spite of its record as it ranks among the top teams in the league in scoring, rebounds and field goal percentage as well as keeping pace with their opponents almost matching their output. By the end of 2014, the Celtics had finished the year losing by an average margin of 1.1 points per game, while at the same time almost matching their opponents shot for shot by a slim margin of -.001, rebound for rebound by a margin of +0.07 per game, and turnover for turnover by a margin of -0.6.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those numbers are even more impressive considering the numerous disadvantages that Celtics possess in terms of the strength, quality and overall experience of its roster as the team primarily consists of castaways, rejects, untested rookies and players on expiring contracts. All of these players were essentially thrown together in a messy hodgepodge of odd, out of place and disjointed pieces which other teams neither wanted or needed; yet, this band of vagabonds have managed to play not only cohesively, but also rather disciplined considering their circumstances. In the ten games that they have won, they beat such heavy hitters as the Central Division's first place <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113765985818267570365" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Chicago Bulls</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578378" target="_blank">11/8/2014</a>), and the Eastern Conference's third place <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117695609606775635474" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">+Washington </span><span style="background-color: red; color: blue;">Wizards</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578586" target="_blank">12/7/2014</a>) while at the same time giving some of the top teams in the league a run for their money. Some of the league's best including perennial playoff contending <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107197977601900902096" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Dallas </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Mavericks</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578338" target="_blank">11/3/2014</a>), the Eastern Conference leading <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/114322809962809205233" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #666666; color: red;">+Toronto </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: black;">Raptors</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578351" target="_blank">11/5/2014</a>), the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116177499528246685421" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+LeBron</span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;"> James</span></a> led <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100683165118349235829" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Cleveland </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Cavaliers</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578417" target="_blank">11/14/2014</a>), and Northwest Division leading <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102389125283549686273" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">+Portland </span><span style="background-color: #999999; color: red;">Trail Blazers</span></a> <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578486" target="_blank">(11/23/2014</a>) barely managed to best the Celtics winning by a slim margin of less than four points. The Bulls, Hawks, and Wizards also had very close scrapes against Boston with Chicago winning by just seven points (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578515" target="_blank">11/28/2014</a>), the Hawks by just four (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578546" target="_blank">12/2/2014</a>) and Washington not only needed overtime to beat the Celtics, but also had to score a whopping 133 points just to best them by one point (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578594" target="_blank">12/8/2014</a>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">No one would have even contemplated seeing the Celtics win ten games let alone put forth such a strong and consistent effort which they fans have to be quite proud, especially since neither they or the rest to the basketball viewing world expected much from them in the first place. Although their defense can be rated as dirt poor to say the least, the Celtics have still managed to keep up with opposing teams on both ends of the floor putting up as many shots, forcing as many turnovers, and grabbing as many boards as they do. Eleven of the team's 18 losses were in the single digits with eight of being under five points; however, upon looking at their progress over the the first two months of the season, playing catch up with their opponents has certainly taken its toll on them. In the 28 games that they have played, the Celtics have only held the opponents from scoring 100 points just ten times--nine of which they won; on the other hand, Boston has allowed opponents to score 100 or more points in which they had managed to win only one of them. Nonetheless, at least Celtics fans can hold their heads high knowing that at least in their 18 losses, despite their team's horrid defense, Boston still managed to be blown out, that is lose by 15 or more points, only twice--against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108331419083422256676" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Memphis </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: yellow;">Grizzlies</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116388234061758143958" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Miami </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">HEAT</span></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Much of the team's excellent offensive execution probably had much to due with the past rather than the future as it was run by <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/103737088110740507590" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Rajon </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Rondo</span></a>, the last remnant of the Celtics past glory years; however, by the end of December, the Celtics finally cut their final ties with the past and parted ways with their long time veteran sending him to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107197977601900902096" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Dallas </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Mavericks</span></a>. In return, the Celtics received a bunch of discarded spare parts in <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106560853733026887494" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Brandan </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;">Wright</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101658213870146542228" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">+Jae Crowder</span></a>, and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100206988027479604267" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">+Jameer </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Nelson</span></a>--players who would more than likely be waived as neither one of them fit in Boston's long term plan--along with draft picks and a huge trade exemption. Upon the start of 2015, the Celtics continued its march toward the future as they parted ways with another player who was not essentially a link to the past, but more of a bridge between the past, present and future in Jeff Green, sending him to Memphis for <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104462586580694606062" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">+Tayshaun Prince</span></a>, another first round pick, and ironically the son of former Celtics Coach <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100419098359722726193" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: red;">+Doc</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"> Rivers</span></a>, Austin. In another ironic twist, almost immediately after acquiring him the Celtics would later send <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111522290980189070176" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: red;">+Austin</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"> Rivers</span></a> to play for his father in Los Angeles in another trade with both the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109870053628419941069" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Phoenix </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;">Suns</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100429518756699636111" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: red;">+Los Ang</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">eles Clippers</span></a> where Boston would receive yet another draft pick, as well as an additional trade exemption plus another little used leftover in <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111519970047757584523" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">+Shavlik Randolph</span></a>--a player who will most likely be let go at the end of the season.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So as they march into 2015 to finish the regular season, the Celtics now have a completely different team than which they started with as they bid farewell to the two key players who kept them in respectability in Rondo and Green, leaving the team to be led by guys who no one would recognize on the street let alone anywhere else. Save for <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100613059533512587908" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">+Marcus Smart</span></a>, who was selected 6th overall by the Celtics in last years NBA Draft, and Evan Turner, who was selected second overall in the draft five years ago but failed to live up to expectation, there are no other Celtics player that had been drafted in the top ten. Most of the roster currently consists of either of players who were picked very low in the first round, fell to the second, or were not even drafted to begin with thus giving the Celtics a team with a team filled with a glorious list of the "who's who of who cares;" however, in spite of their less than stellar roster, there have been some hidden gems who have used their anonymity as an advantage to surprise not only their opponents, but also step out in the spotlight. One of these players is Tyler Zeller, a player who was essentially given up on by his former team, the Cavs, while at the same had failed to live up to the promise that he had shown while playing for the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107372837056010235004" target="_blank">+North Carolina Tar Heels</a> in the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101207041564481801832" target="_blank">+NCAA</a>. Since arriving at Boston, Zeller has made an immediate impact for Team Green as he not only leads the Celtics in field goal percentage, but also posts per 40 minutes numbers of 19.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game; however, he is not the only player that has risen from obscurity.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Along with Zeller, there have been other players who have had an immediate jump start on their career after falling short of expectations in their previous locales and used their opportunities to not only reignite their career, but have also brought up their team along with them. One of them is Marcus Thornton, whom after posting a career high 19 points per game and was considered an up an coming young star dropped off the radar the next few years afterwards thus resulting him being sent off to Boston to let his rather lucrative contract run its course; however, instead of just remaining a stain waiting to be rubbed out, Thornton used his time in Boston to reinvent himself and become a key contributor in the Celtics' unexpectedly impressive season. Coming off the bench, Thornton has been quite the vital contributor to this team as he averaged nine points per game in just fifteen minutes of playing time, while at the same time has been leading the team in three point field goal percentage as well. Evan Turner was also at one time considered as an outcast having not only failed to live up to the high expectations of being the second overall pick in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NBA_draft" target="_blank">2010 NBA Draft</a>, but was essentially ignored in free agency after posting a career season the previous year. Nonetheless, despite being snubbed by every NBA team and having to settle with a low-ball offer from Boston, he has still made his presence felt on the court coming off the bench to average eight points, five rebounds and five assists per game in under 30 minutes of playing time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both Thornton and Turner have made themselves integral to fortunes of this rebuilding Boston franchise this season--so much so that the team's front office were willing to part ways with Jeff Green who had led the team in scoring before being shipped off to the Grizzlies. Although he may not be considered as part of the Celtics future plans, Thornton has certainly shown that he is still capable of bringing a positive impact on a prospective NBA team while Turner, despite his spotty shooting, has a well developed all around game with his passing and rebounding to compensate for his offensive shortcomings. In fact, given the minutes and shot attempts, Turner might just possibly prove far more valuable that the piddling two year seven million contract that he was forced to accept and may just find himself in Celtics green for years to come because he offers so many intangibles that make his teammates better. Combine him with two up and coming big men in Zeller, Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk, along with a talented backcourt that consists of rookie point guard Smart and Avery Bradley who had signed a four year 32$ million deal in the off season, the Celtics have a rather promising core of young players to develop for years to come. They may not sound like much, but considering the the Atlanta Hawks have virtually no one to really speak yet stand on top of the Eastern Conference is evidence enough that an NBA team does not need a marquee name to set itself apart from its opponents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps Boston might just be the next Atlanta Hawks within the next couple of years; however, right now the Celtics' prospects of that happening range from slim to none. Nonetheless, despite their rather makeshift roster, Boston still has an outside chance to make the post season, but with the recent trades of Green and Rondo, it looks as if the Celtics are looking to intentionally heading to the other direction, which is quite a pity. Boston has the potential to be one of the surprise teams in the league as the Eastern Conference remaining rather wide open with virtually three playoff spots and fifty games left in the season, but it looks as if the Celtics plan to sit this dance out as they look to use this season to free up cap space as well as gather picks for the next one. Regardless, with the way that the Celtics have been playing matching their opponents point for point while showing the offensive execution of a seasoned veteran team is welcomed enough by their fans. It may not look it, but the future is bright in Bean Town and the question will be not a matter of "if," but "when" for the Boston Celtics to return to respectability.</span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-45641846454512178342015-02-02T13:04:00.002-05:002015-02-02T13:06:53.633-05:00SDH's 2014/2015 Worst to First Countdown for the First "Slap-mester" (Oct/Nov/Dec): 23. Indiana Pacers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107186556217214438380" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">+Indiana</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763; font-size: x-large;"> Pacers</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Win/Loss Record as of December 31st,
2014: </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>11-21, fourth place Central
Division, 11<sup>th</sup> Place Eastern Conference<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Projected 2014/2015 Finish</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 72pt;"><a href="http://slapdoghoops.blogspot.com/2014/10/sdhs-20142015-nba-worst-to-first_30.html" target="_blank">22</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Current Rank as of December 31st</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: 72pt;">23</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Team Statistics and League Rank as of
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<li>Points Scored: 94.5 (28<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Points Allowed: 96.3 (2<sup>nd</sup>)</li>
<li>Team FG%: .431 (25<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponent’s FG%: .443 (8<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team FT%: .729 (25<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team Three Point FG%: .335 (24<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Rebounds per game: 45.3 (5<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponents rebounds per game: 42.8 (15<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Turnovers per game: 13.6 (11<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponents turnovers per game: 12.0 (27<sup>th</sup>)</li>
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<li>Scoring (ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2177/david-west" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">David </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">West</span></a> (12.5)</li>
<li>Rebounds per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6424/lavoy-allen" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">Lavoy</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Allen</span></a> (7.5)</li>
<li>Minutes per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2488958/solomon-hill" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">Solomon</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Hill</span></a> (32.0)</li>
<li>Assists per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4303/donald-sloan" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">Donald Sloan</span></a> (4.5)</li>
<li>Field Goal Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2774/ian-mahinmi" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">Ian </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Mahinimi</span></a>
(.611)</li>
<li>Free Throw Percentage: CJ Watson (.830)</li>
<li>Three Point FG Percentage: CJ Watson
(.383)</li>
<li>Steals per game: CJ Watson (1.0)</li>
<li>Blocked Shots per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3436/roy-hibbert" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">Roy </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Hibbert</span></a> (2.0)</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Worst of the Class: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101508053598900888727" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Larry</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Bird</span></a> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you want to know who to blame for the current sad state of the Indiana Pacers, one needs not to look any further than the team's head of operations, Larry Bird. Not only did not he not bring back a key member of last season's team that not only finished first place in the Eastern Conference, but also helped lead the team against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116388234061758143958" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Miami </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">HEAT</span></a> in the conference finals. Bird thought that signing cheaper knock offs instead of paying Lance Stephenson, who is now with the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117085501640270338175" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Charlotte </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Hornets</span></a>, what he deserved was a better alternative; however, he has paid for his arrogance and that was not his only misstep. Larry Bird did not hurt the team with his actions, but mostly with his in-actions as he essentially kept an aging team that had virtually no competition last year while his division rivals upgraded their rosters significantly resulting in his team's disgrace. Even if Paul George had not broken his leg in the summer and was able to play, the Pacer probably would be in the same predicament because he simply would not have the support as he did with Stephenson and he too would have questioned the wisdom of signing that lucrative deal to stay in Indy. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First of the Class: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/coaches/_/id/2613483/frank-vogel" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">Frank</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Vogel</span></a></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Give Vogel credit where it is due as he has essentially kept a team that has been held together my glue and matchsticks and has got them playing rather decently despite just winning a third of its games. With the departure of Lance Stephenson in free agency along with the tragic loss of the team's star player, Paul George, for the entire season, Vogel was left with a roster of nobodies, over the hill has-beens, broken down veterans and discarded trash; however, he still managed to keep this team focused enough to remain one of the league's top defensive teams. Sure, he has no one capable of putting up big scoring numbers such as George, while at the same time started the season with three of his key returning players on the injured list; Yet, he has certainly managed managed to turn the lemons he started out with into lemonade. Even through the adversity he has kept his team playing hard and fighting for every game whether it wins or loses, but even the most optimistic of Pacers fans realize that sooner or later this ragtag group of misfits will soon fall apart and not even all the grittiness in the world can prevent Indy to fall out of the playoff chase. Nonetheless, in spite of their dire situation, it has never stopped Vogel from demanding the best out of his players nor has it allowed his players to simply throw their hands up and quit. </span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No one expected for the Pacers to finish first place in their division for the third straight year due to the missteps of their front office during the off season and the tragic accident of their star player; however, no one expected them to fall near rock bottom as they have so far. Indy started the regular season stumbling out the gates and crashed into a wall as they lost six of its first seven games before bouncing back and finished November winning six of their next games. Unfortunately, they would fall on hard times once again in December as they lost eight straight to start the month, but finished 2014 in style winning five of their last nine games and despite their rather uncharacteristic slow start, they have still shown signs that they can still pull the season out and possibly make a run for the post season. Unlike the oppressive state of affairs that is currently occurring in the Western Conference where seven of their eight playoff spots have already been spoken for, the East remains considerably open with just the top three seeds secure thus far. With fifty games left in the regular season, there is still plenty of time to turn their season around; however, perhaps this is not the most prudent course of action as the best that Indiana can possibly do is claim the East final playoff spot and possibly get ousted in the first round as quickly as they entered it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Would it not be much better to simply chalk the season up for a loss in order to vie for a very high draft pick instead of pushing for a playoff spot that may or may not be there at the end of the regular season? Although there is still an outside chance of making the playoffs, there are no guarantee that the Pacers will be able to do it; plus, if they choose to fight to the very end and not make the post season, they best they can look forward to is a low first round pick. Indiana right now has the perfect opportunity to attain the first overall pick in the draft as it currently rest near the bottom of the league along with the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104029868095544588252" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">+Philadelphia </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">76ers</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117530429380139429277" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+New Yo</span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">rk Knicks</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111410703357000754962" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Los Ang</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">eles Lakers</span></a> and the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117740164364538373585" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Detroit</span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;"> Pistons</span></a>; plus, with their aging roster that is in severe decline, the Pacers will have no choice but to start the rebuild as soon as possible. Unfortunately, that does not look like that is going to happen as the players, coaching staff, the team's front office as well as the fans have far too much pride to simply throw in the towel and that stubbornness will lead to their ultimate downfall. As a result, the Pacers will find themselves continuing to slip out of relevance and respectability as their team has become outdated and over the hill while both their divisional and conference rivals have already began to separate themselves even further turning Indy from a once proud winning franchise to a laughing stock in the span of just one season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113765985818267570365" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Chicago Bulls</span></a> and the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100683165118349235829" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Cleveland </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Cavaliers</span></a> have made significant strides to not only surpass Indiana, but to ensure that even with the return of their star player Paul George next season, will not even have a chance to ever return to the top of the Central Division. Despite of the team's rather slow start, the return of <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116177499528246685421" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+LeBron</span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;"> James</span></a> to his home state plus the addition of <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100229200866327518997" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Kevin</span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;"> Love</span></a> have not only turned the Cavs into championship contenders, but has also assured that they remain at the top of both the Central Division and the Eastern Conference for years to come. The Bulls have also made themselves a significant obstacle to Indiana's plans thanks not only the return of MVP <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/118118907468349254093" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Derrick Rose</span></a>, but also the addition of a revitalized <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100779095458956856934" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Pau Gasol</span></a> and the unforeseen emergence of role player turned superstar in <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6430/jimmy-butler" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">Jimmy Butler</span></a>. Even the often ignored <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115832581668320354874" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">+Milwaukee Bucks</span></a> have risen out of obscurity to upstage the Pacers thanks to the arrival of their new head coach <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112334638931602521652" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">+Jason Kidd</span></a> who turned a team that had won just seventeen games before into one of the league's up and coming teams. Now Indy finds itself not only shamefully knocked off their pedestal, but also wallowing near rock bottom with only the Pistons underneath to keep them from actually touching the cold hard floor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blame the actions of the team's president of operations Larry Bird for the sad state of of affairs due to his shortsightedness, poor draft picks, and complete lack of initiative when it came to assuring that his team stayed at the top. Instead of looking for ways to improve the team, he simply settled with leaving well enough alone as he chose to leave the future of the team in the hands of aging and declining players such as David West and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106466745785645995727" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Luis </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Scola</span></a>, instead of looking to infuse the team with young talent. The decision to attempt to shortchange Lance Stephenson instead of making every attempt to secure him long term was another sign of Bird inability to follow the times losing the talented, although mercurial Stephenson to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117085501640270338175" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Charlotte </span><span style="background-color: #999999; color: cyan;">Hornets</span></a> and filling the immense void he left behind with cheap knock offs in <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2778/c.j.-miles" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">C.J </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Miles</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113512239715446690298" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Rodney </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #0c343d;">Stuckey</span></a>. Neither Miles or Stuckey have been able to fill in and replace the massive impact and impression that Stephenson left on the Pacers--not just in terms of his production and output, but all in terms of his energy and savvy that he also brought onto the court. Many in Indiana applauded Bird for not ponying up the dough to keep Stephenson claiming that he was neither mature or professional enough to represent their team; however, Stephenson's absence has certainly been quite apparent when looking at the rather pathetic state of the team's offensive execution.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of having Stephenson's ability to not only score, but also to manage the team's offense and help push the tempo with his speed and athleticism, the team had to rely on a committee of point guards consisting of perennial scrubs <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3277/c.j.-watson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">CJ </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Watson</span></a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4303/donald-sloan" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">Donald</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Sloan</span></a>. The team's incumbent starting point guard, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3438/george-hill" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">George </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Hill</span></a>, has been a complete no show sitting out much of the season due to injuries; however, in his time in Indiana he has not shown an ability of being even a somewhat decent play maker nor the ability to get anyone but himself involved in the team's offense. Sure, Stephenson has yet to light in up in Charlotte the same way he did in Indiana which give the thickheaded Pacer fan base to think that they are better off without him; however, considering that he would have been better acclimated to the Pacers' way of doing things instead of forcing to readjust to a new system in Charlotte, he probably would have performed far better had he stayed. Not only that, but he also could have been Indy's primary scoring option giving the team a focal point to rally to instead of the hodgepodge mess that fans are forced to witness as none of their team's players have neither the ability nor the skills to force opposing defenses to concentrate upon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Even if Paul George had not suffered that <a href="http://youtu.be/Bd3B2DsHQTg" target="_blank">gruesome injury</a> in the summer forcing him to sit out the entire season, it is doubtful that the Pacers' fortunes as Stephenson's departure would have made it even more difficult for him because there is virtually no one else to help shoulder the offensive load the way that Stephenson did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both David West and Luis Scola have shown that they are no longer capable to put up the big numbers that they used to as both their abilities and their sustainability on their court have severely declined, while <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117879988557666922581" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Roy </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Hibbert</span></a> continues to gain the ire of his fans will his declining production despite his supposedly exceptional gifts that should make him a superstar. George would have probably have had to carry the team himself with little or no help whatsoever possibly leading him to succumb to the physical strain and lead him to be injured for the season thus leaving Indiana in the same predicament that it currently faces. In spite of his warts, Stephenson, in essence, complemented George in every way by not only taking a load off his shoulder with scoring, but also did so without taking too much of the spotlight--the same way how <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115563820665432573432" target="_blank">+Scottie Pippen</a> provided the same support for <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108142043942572558226" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Michael</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;"> Jordan</span></a> by not only with his hall of fame presence, but also staying in the background enough to allow Jordan to shine in those Bulls championship years during the 1990s. Such a player that provides the best of both worlds is almost impossible to find in today's NBA, but Bird had such a player in Stephenson, but foolishly chose to diminish his role by offering a less than desirable offer to someone of his talents forcing him to leave in anger to another team for the same money.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now after all that effort and energy to climb to the top of the Eastern Conference Mountain. the Pacers find themselves slipping and falling of a high cliff and once they crash to the bottom, they may not be able to pick themselves back up again; however, it almost seemed as if it was almost inevitable that this would happen. Despite its winning record, the Pacers never proved that they had what it took to be a true championship contender because their management never took the initiative to show that it was willing to do what it took to win an NBA title at any cost. Instead, it seemed as it was happy remaining at the status quot taking the opponents in their conference for granted not thinking for one second that the good times will ever stop; but now they have, and the Pacers are left with the unsavory prospect of having to start over from scratch once again. If that happens, there needs to be a complete house cleaning from top top down starting with Larry Bird stepping down as head of basketball operations because it has painfully obvious that not only is he behind the times, but simply out of touch with today's NBA. Unless he decides to do the right thing and walk away, then Indiana will continue its decent into obscurity as their star Paul George wastes his prime years on a team going nowhere fast.</span> <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-48664472359177498232015-01-30T11:40:00.000-05:002015-01-30T11:40:05.366-05:00SDH's 2014/2015 Worst to First Countdown for the First "Slap-mester" (Oct/Nov/Dec): 24. Utah Jazz<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100541792472447759793" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">+Utah</span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"> Jazz</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Win/Loss Record as of December 31st,
2014:</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>11-21, fourth place Northwest
Division, 13<sup>th</sup> Place Western Conference<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Projected 2014/2015 Finish</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 72pt;"><a href="http://slapdoghoops.blogspot.com/2014/10/sdhs-20142015-nba-worst-to-first_72.html" target="_blank">27</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Current Rank as of December 31st</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: 72pt;">24</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Team Statistics and League Rank as of
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<li>Points Scored: 96.1 (23<sup>rd</sup>)</li>
<li>Points Allowed: 100.2 (17<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team FG%: .454 (19<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponent’s FG%: .472 (27<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team FT%: .744 (19<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team Three Point FG%: .334 (25<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Rebounds per game: 41.9 (19<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponents rebounds per game: 39.1 (2<sup>nd</sup>)</li>
<li>Turnovers per game: 14.0 (17<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponents turnovers per game: 11.4 (29<sup>th</sup>)</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Individual Statistical Leaders as of
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<li>Scoring (ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4249/gordon-hayward" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">Gordon </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Hayward</span></a> (19.2)</li>
<li>Rebounds per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4257/derrick-favors" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">Derrick </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Favors</span></a> (8.3)</li>
<li>Minutes per game: Gordon Hayward (35.3)</li>
<li>Assists per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2579260/trey-burke" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">Trey </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Burke</span></a> (5.1)</li>
<li>Field Goal Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3032976/rudy-gobert" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">Rudy </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Gobert</span></a>
(.619)</li>
<li>Free Throw Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6429/alec-burks" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">Alec </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Burks</span></a> (.820)</li>
<li>Three Point FG Percentage: Gordon
Hayward (.458)</li>
<li>Steals per game: Gordon Hayward (1.3)</li>
<li>Blocked Shots per game: Rudy Gobert
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<span style="font-size: large;">Worst of the Class: <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107131289532020629289" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">+Dante </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Exum</span></a> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some may consider this unfair to call him a flop considering he is just 19 years old; however, after being selected fourth overall in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NBA_draft" target="_blank">2014 NBA Draft</a>, people were correct to expect far more than Dante Exum has given up to now. This guy was touted as the next great player of his generation along with <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101605281491244075937" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">+Andrew </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Wiggins</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101652765083031219441" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: red;">+Jabari Parker</span></a>, but thus far he along with all the other so called superstar prospects have far from lived up to their expectations. After all, wasn't this supposed to be one of the deepest and most talented draft in NBA history? Unfortunately, so far these rookies have been a complete letdown save for a few exemptions as none of the top picks have made their projected impact. Hopefully Exum in time will live up to the hype that came with him upon entering the league because he certainly has the tools to be a star with his size, skill set and athleticism; however, right now he has made numerous Utah Jazz fan scratching their head wondering if their team made a mistake in picking him so high. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First of the Class: Gordon Hayward</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">For those who thought that signing Gordon Hayward a max level contract was a bad idea, they certainly must be eating their words, as Hayward has proven thus far that he is well worth the money. Along with leading his team in scoring, Hayward also has proven to be an excellent all around player showing leadership on the offensive not only putting points on the board, but also getting his teammates involved with his nearly five assists per game. Defensively, he has also stepped in front of the line leading his team in steals per game, while providing a solid presence on the boards averaging five rebounds per game as well. To think that some people even questioned the idea that he belonged in Utah, even going as far to allow him to head off to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117085501640270338175" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Charlotte </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Hornets</span></a> before the Jazz stepped up to match the offer sheet he signed with them. Not only has he proven to be well worth the money and the length of his deal, but with his current play, he has proven himself worthy of being the face, heart and soul of this franchise for years to come. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although they currently rest at the bottom of the Western Conference standings and they may not see the post season for quite a few years, who cannot love the Utah Jazz? Despite their rather grim outlook as they take their first steps out of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Sloan" target="_blank">Jerry Sloan</a> era with a new head coach and a roster than can be considered more of a daycare than an actual basketball team, there is still plenty to be excited about. Here is a team that has arguably one of the deepest treasure troves of young talent in the NBA and so far in spite of their record, they have still been quite entertaining to watch. Even those they have won just a third of their games, they have keep all their games rather close falling by an average of four points while at the same time have played rather disciplined and efficient basketball in spite of having such a young and inexperienced team. Their defense leaves little to be desired, but much of that has to do with the previously mentioned immaturity and lack of experience; plus, their defensive woes have been compensated in some regard by their rather impressive offensive execution that can rival even the most seasoned veteran team in the league. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Much of the credit has to go to the team's rookie head coach Quin Snyder who took a team in which the majority of players have yet to reach the age of 25 and turned it into a rather cohesive unit in spite of the trappings in which numerous young team's fall into. With a young team consisting of primarily top 10 draft picks, there may be a case for conflict as each of these players share not only the same age, but also the desire to be the one in charge forsaking the team and focus on their individual statistics. Yet, upon looking at the statistics, there seems to none of that as the team's overall field goal percentage is rather high while their field goal attempts per games rank among the lowest in the league thus giving the assumption that the Jazz as a whole are not only very selective, but also very responsible with the shots they take. On the flip side, Utah, in spite of allowing their opponents to shoot better than .470 from the field, have also been able to limit the amount of shot attempts that they take as the Jazz rank fourth overall in the league in opponents' field goal attempts per game. Overall, Snyder has had this team running in sync and efficiently like a well oil machine assuring that every shot attempt taken is a quality shot and that every possession is utilized to its potential for the best result.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In terms of offensive execution, it should also be noted that for such a young team as the Jazz, they have managed to keep their turnovers in check falling in the middle of the pack among the lead leaders in turnovers per game at around 14 per game. That seems to be the median amount of turnovers in the league as they range between 14 and 15 per game which puts Utah in the same company such as <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106727443286456338833" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">+Brooklyn</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"> Nets</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117695609606775635474" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">+Washington</span><span style="background-color: red; color: blue;"> Wizards</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109870053628419941069" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Phoenix </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;">Suns</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117072717171084573790" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: yellow;">+Golden </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue;">State Warriors</span></a>--teams who, unlike the Jazz, are currently in the midst of the playoff hunt in their respective conferences. In an ironic twist, there is also a intriguing contradiction that despite it ranking near the bottom of the league in opponents' field goal percentage, they rank among the top teams in blocked shots per game, so they do in some respect provide a strong presence at the rim regardless of what the numbers say. Their top ten ranking in blocked shots per game certainly shows that defense is certainly a priority regardless of what the statistics say, although it does still has quite a ways to go until it reaches at the same level with their already impressive offensive execution. All sign points to the Utah Jazz heading in the right direction in terms of developing their young players and returning themselves to playoff contention one day; however, that is easier said than done as they find themselves in a rather oppressive Western Conference.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In a conference where seven of the eight playoff spots have been spoken for essentially for the past five or so years, it leaves a young aspiring team like the Jazz with little or no chance to climb up the ladder with little or no room to maneuver. Already, all eight spots have been taken up with four of those teams coming from the same division--namely the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/105765705498074909292" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #666666; color: black;">+San Anto</span><span style="background-color: black; color: #666666;">nio Spurs</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104651471522091388043" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Houston Rockets</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107197977601900902096" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Dallas </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Mavericks</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108331419083422256676" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Memphis </span><span style="background-color: #999999; color: yellow;">Grizzlies</span></a> of the Southwest Division--with two more being held by the Pacific Division leading Warriors and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100429518756699636111" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: red;">+Los Ang</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">eles Clippers</span></a>. Other than the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102389125283549686273" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">+Portland </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: red;">Trail Blazers</span></a>, who currently have a lock on first place in their division and one of the top four records in the West, the entire Northwest Division has essentially been blocked out of having any chance of making the playoffs. Even the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">City Thunder</span></a>, a Northwest Division team that has seen plenty of playoff success for the last four or five years is on the outside looking in as it is one of three teams which not only include the Suns, but an upstart <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101477619738648074996" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: red;">+New Orlea</span><span style="background-color: #bf9000; color: red;">ns Pelicans</span></a> team that are fighting tooth and nail for the eighth and final available playoff spot. Such a prospect of having little to look forward to being stuck in such a cold and repressive system such as the Western Conference is certainly not very motivating considering that the Jazz may be resting at the bottom on the pack for quite some time; however, with every dark cloud there is a silver lining and for the Jazz, their silver lining probably shines the brightest.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to the wealth of young talent--many of which have not reached the age of 25, the Jazz can simply wait for father time to slowly deteriorate their foes while their rather green roster continue to gel and grow stronger with each passing season. As these young guns grow older and continue to improve their feel for their game, they will improve incrementally with every losing season building on an already solid foundation based on smooth, efficient offensive execution and a developing defensive game. Utah already has a core of three all star caliber talent in Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115470481057893624164" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">+Enes </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Kanter</span></a> to build upon and right now they sort of resemble a the greatest front court tandem of all time--one that not only sported three hall of famers, but had also made five NBA Finals appearances winning three NBA Championships. Gordon Hayward has already shown signs into developing into a near facsimile of <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116274984352579031823" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">+Boston Celtics</span></a> legend <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101508053598900888727" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Larry </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;">Bird</span></a> with not only his scoring ability, but his rebounding, passing and overall basketball IQ while his two front court mates look to emerge as future superstars themselves. Since being drafted at the age of 19 years old, Derrick Favors has slowly been developing into one of the league's top big men while Kanter, who has been often overlooked, has been silently putting up strong numbers which have continued to improve with each passing season.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Together Hayward, Kanter and Favors have the potential to become this generation's Bird, Parish and McHale; Plus add along complementary pieces such as the super athletic Alec Burks, as well as a sharpshooting Trey Burke in the back court, the Jazz have the makings of probably the most dangerous starting five than has ever been seen in the NBA. One can argue that this starting five have the potential to possibly eclipse the starting lineups led by the historic dynamic duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone because unlike the Stockton and Malone duo where the offense focused primarily on them, this current incarnation of the Jazz have five devastating weapons instead of just two. Right now all the pieces seem to fit well together with Burke and Hayward facilitating the offense by not only scoring, but also getting the ball to either Kanter or Favors in the paint while finding a slashing Alec Burks either heading to the basket or waiting at the corner to shoot the three. Add the fact that along with an iron clad starting five, the Jazz also boast an exceptional supporting cast consisting of players who would more of less start for any NBA team had they not been previously picked up by the Jazz.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Backing up Gordon Hayward is the high flying <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4295/jeremy-evans" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">Jeremy</span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;"> Evans</span></a> who with his athleticism and physical style of play reminds many of a young Gerald Wallace, a player that went from being a mere role player on the bench of an extremely deep <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115206469672782219638" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #cccccc;">+Sacramento</span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"> Kings</span></a> team to becoming one of the premier rebounding small forwards in the NBA. Evans is followed by another blue collar big in <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4270/trevor-booker" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">Trevor </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Booker</span></a>, who has built a sterling reputation as a bruiser in paint while playing for the Wizards and has spent the season being the primary backup of both Kanter and Favors. Despite coming off the bench in limited minutes, Rudy Gobert has proven himself to be quite a presence in the paint as he is fifth in the league in blocked shots per game while at the same time leads the Jazz in field goal percentage and is the third best rebounder on the team behind Favors and Kanter averaging over seven per game. Last and certainly not the least are two young rookies who have been touted as future stars in <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2581177/rodney-hood" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">Rodney</span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;"> Hood</span></a> and fourth overall pick Dante Exum, who at 22 and 19 years old respectably have plenty of years ahead of them and might just live up to the expectations tagged upon them. Altogether the Jazz look to be a roster that is more than ten players deep and the question will no longer be whether or not Utah will make the playoffs sooner or later, but whether or not the front office will be able to keep such a young and talented team together.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Although they already have Favors and Hayward locked down for the next our to five years, both Gobert and Kanter will be in high demand once they become free agents and they both will command very high pay raises with their size, skills and potential. It is a shame that Utah may have to make a choice between keeping a physical shot blocking blue collar beast in the paint or the multifaceted Kanter who can basically score from anywhere one the court and at just 22 years old has a limitless ceiling. Nonetheless, there is plenty of talent to be had and very few teams have the luxury to have so many players who are not only young, but also have limitless upside and give them a few years together, they will certainly emerge into something special; however, as it stands now, they will have to settle with being on the outside looking in for quite some time. Nonetheless, if they continue to maintain their solid and efficient offensive execution and continue to develop their defense which is strong in rim protection, but lacks a strong perimeter presence, the Jazz might just surprise us all and emerge as a playoff contender far earlier. For now however, all anyone who is loyal to the Jazz can do is just enjoy the effort that their exciting young team has given them thus far, win or lose. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-44658872674913148492015-01-28T14:25:00.000-05:002015-01-28T14:26:21.536-05:00SDH Presents Oklahoma City Thunder Shootaround: Scott Brooks (1/28/2015)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gVe6VLAfUyI" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Head Coach Scott Brooks addresses the media at shootaround prior to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">City Thunder</span></a> game in New York against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117530429380139429277" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+New Yor</span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">k Knicks</span></a> on Jan. 28, 2015. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Catch more in-depth coverage of the </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #666666;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #666666;">City Thunder</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> as well the other 29 teams in the </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">+NBA</a><span style="font-size: large;"> right here on </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/103405158221306061833" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">+Slap Dog Hoops</a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below. It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-75664515079490038472015-01-28T14:24:00.004-05:002015-01-28T14:26:21.540-05:00SDH Presents Oklahoma City Thunder Shootaround: Steven Adams (1/28/2015)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/81NAlaX2M6U" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Center Steven Adams addressed the media at shootaround prior to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">City Thunder</span></a> game in New York against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117530429380139429277" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+New Yor</span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">k Knicks</span></a> on Jan. 28, 2015. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Catch more in-depth coverage of the </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #666666;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #666666;">City Thunder</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> as well the other 29 teams in the </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">+NBA</a><span style="font-size: large;"> right here on </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/103405158221306061833" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">+Slap Dog Hoops</a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below. It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-34755438477607107252015-01-28T14:12:00.000-05:002015-01-28T14:12:11.279-05:00 SDH Presents The Starters –January 27th<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a3yBSA5NI_A" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106675701689878806717" target="_blank">+The Starters</a> discuss how the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100429518756699636111" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: red;">+Los Ang</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">eles Clippers</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100683165118349235829" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Cleveland </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Cavaliers</span></a> have got it together, if the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109870053628419941069" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Phoenix </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;">Suns</span></a> should be sitting guys for getting techs, and whether or not a Joe Johnson for Lance Stephenson trade makes sense. Watch The Starters weekdays at 630ET on <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/105389494486383721827" target="_blank">+NBA TV</a>, get more of them on their website: <a href="http://nba.com/thestarters">http://nba.com/thestarters</a> or listen to the podcast on iTunes: <a href="http://bit.ly/1ENHFcK">http://bit.ly/1ENHFcK</a>. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Visit <a href="http://nba.com/video">nba.com/video</a> for more highlights and </span><span style="font-size: large;">always keep up with all 30</span><a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">+NBA</a><span style="font-size: large;"> teams right here on </span><a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/103405158221306061833" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">+Slap Dog Hoops</a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below. It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-88211683755634620112015-01-27T12:21:00.001-05:002015-01-27T12:21:47.944-05:00SDH's 2014/2015 Worst to First Countdown for the First "Slap-mester" (Oct/Nov/Dec): 25. Charlotte Hornets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117085501640270338175" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan; font-size: x-large;">+Charlotte</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan; font-size: x-large;"> Hornets</span></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Win/Loss Record as of December 31st,
2014:</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>10-22, fifth place Southeast
Division, 12<sup>th</sup> Place Eastern Conference<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Projected 2014/2015 Finish</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 72pt;"><a href="http://slapdoghoops.blogspot.com/2014/11/sdhs-20142015-nba-worst-to-first_20.html" target="_blank">14</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Current Rank as of December 31st</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: 72pt;">25</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Team Statistics and League Rank as of
December 31st, 2014: </span></div>
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<li>Points Scored: 95.7 (24<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Points Allowed: 100.3 (18th)</li>
<li>Team FG%: .429 (25<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponent’s FG%: .462 (24<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team FT%: .737 (22<sup>nd</sup>)</li>
<li>Team Three Point FG%: .322 (28<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Rebounds per game: 42.2 (15<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponents rebounds per game: 43.0 (19<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Turnovers per game: 10.7(1<sup>st</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponents turnovers per game: 12.4 (24<sup>th</sup>)</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Individual Statistical Leaders as of
December 31st, 2014:</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li>Scoring (ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2389/al-jefferson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Al </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Jefferson</span></a> (18.0)</li>
<li>Rebounds per game: Al Jefferson (8.0)</li>
<li>Minutes per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6479/kemba-walker" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Kemba</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;"> Walker</span></a> (35.7)</li>
<li>Assists per game: Kemba Walker (5.6)</li>
<li>Field Goal Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6427/bismack-biyombo" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Bismack </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Biyombo</span></a>
(.582)</li>
<li>Free Throw Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3993/gerald-henderson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Gerald </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Henderson</span></a> (.880)</li>
<li>Three Point FG Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2797/marvin-williams" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Marvin </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;">Williams</span></a> (.373)</li>
<li>Steals per game: Kemba Walker (1.4)</li>
<li>Blocked Shots per game: Bismack
Biyombo (1.3)</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Worst of the Class: Steve Clifford</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">By all accounts, Steve Clifford should be fired for the poor mishandling of a team that stocked full of talent which made the playoffs last season, but has thus far under-performed and rest at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Too make matters worse, at the end of December, his team rests near the bottom on both the offensive and defensive end which is considered unfathomable considering the tools at his disposal. He has one of the league's top scoring big men in Al Jefferson as well as an up and coming young star in Kemba Walker returning to lead the team, plus the team added one of the best two way players in the league last season in Lance Stephenson. By all accounts, a team with a core of talented player such as Walker, Stephenson and Jefferson along with one of the deepest and most balanced rosters in the league should fare rather well in what many consider a rather weak Eastern Conference; however, that is far from happening. If things do not improve soon, not only will the Hornets will miss the playoffs, but Clifford himself will also be looking for a new job. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First of the Class: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4244/lance-stephenson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">Lance </span><span style="background-color: cyan; color: purple;">Stephenson</span></a></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the eyes of most Hornets fans and the media that show their games, Lance Stephenson has been portrayed as a major disappointment since coming over as a free agent last Summer. Many expected him to come out of the gates posting bigger scoring numbers than he did playing with the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107186556217214438380" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Indiana</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Pacers</span></a> last season; however, looking at that aspect is rather unfair considering what other facets he also brings the team. For starters, despite his uncharacteristically poor shooting, Stephenson has been integral to the team's offensive execution bu helping push the tempo and find the open man in transition. Plus, let us not forget that he also ranks among the top shooting guards in the league in assists and rebounds per game where at one point, he actually led the team in both statistical categories. So in spite of not living up to the lavish expectations of the Charlotte media and team fan base, Stephenson has provided so much more than he has been given credit for complementing the team's two stars Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson while at the same time compensating for his shooting slump with intangibles that are rarely recognized in stat sheets. </span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After having reached the playoffs last season followed by a rather successful off season which saw their team bolster itself to be even stronger than before, basketball fans in Charlotte must be wondering "what the (expletive) is going on with their Charlotte Hornets?" After all, they came into the season with arguably the deepest and most balanced rosters in the league that had an already strong returning crew along with some very high profile additions to boot; yet, instead of making waves in the regular season, they have been actually swept by the waves of others falling at the bottom of the standings at the start of the season. The Hornets started well enough looking rather respectable as they won four of their first nine games, but that all fell apart when they finished the month of November and went into December losing their next ten in a row. Charlotte managed to bounce back winning six of their next ten and it looked as if their season was headed on an upward swing; however, that all came to a halt as they finished 2014 on a rather sour note losing their last four games. Now Charlotte will enter 2015 with a record that is thirteen games under .500, resting at fourth place in the Southeast Division and the fourth worst record in the Eastern Conference leaving folk from Charlotte along with the rest of the basketball fan all over the world scratching their heads in confusion and bewilderment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How can a team that had that had so much going for it with a perfect blend of size, talent, athleticism, veteran experience and roster depth suddenly fall out of grace so quickly after an impressive playoff run the previous season? To be fair, much of those losses were quite bittersweet as they lost ten of those 23 games by five points or less and had the ball bounced their way in the last few seconds, the Charlotte Hornets would be riding high with a 23-10 record instead of looking down a 13 game hole that they had done for themselves. Yet with every heart wrenching loss, there were games where the Hornets looked absolutely horrendous such as the two game pounding at the hands of the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102389125283549686273" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">+Portland </span><span style="background-color: #999999; color: red;">Trail Blazers</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578432" target="_blank">11/15/2014</a>) and the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107197977601900902096" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Dallas </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Mavericks</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578438" target="_blank">11/17/2014</a>) by a whopping total of 52 points. Then after a three game stretch where they narrowly lost to the Pacers (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578452" target="_blank">11/19/2014</a>), <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/114142060222176373436" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Orlando </span><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Magic</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578464" target="_blank">11/21/2014</a>) and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116388234061758143958" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Miami </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">HEAT</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578487" target="_blank">11/23/2014</a>) by a grand total of just eight points, they would simply get abused by the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100429518756699636111" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: red;">+Los Angel</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">es Clippers</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578490" target="_blank">11/24/2014</a>) as they crushed the Hornets like cockroaches beating them by 21 points. Had they held on against such teams as the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108331419083422256676" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Memphis </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: yellow;">Grizzlies</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578320" target="_blank">11/1/2014</a>), <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117530429380139429277" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+New Yo</span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">rk Knicks</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578333" target="_blank">11/2/2014</a>), Blazers (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578399" target="_blank">1/11/2014</a>), Heat, Magic, Pacers--all games that had been lost by just one basket--then humongous blowouts by the Mavs, Clippers, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117072717171084573790" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: yellow;">+Golden Sta</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue;">te Warriors</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578432" target="_blank">11/15/2014</a>), <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104597453028172833211" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: red;">+Atlanta </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">Hawks</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578529" target="_blank">11/29/2012</a>), <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106727443286456338833" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">+Brooklyn</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"> Nets</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578633" target="_blank">12/13/2014</a>), <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102060184805262212846" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">+Denver </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Nuggets</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578701" target="_blank">12/22/2014</a>), <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Oklahoma C</span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">ity Thunder</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578730" target="_blank">12/26/2014</a>) and the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104651471522091388043" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Houston Rockets</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578770" target="_blank">12/31/2014</a>) would not have stung as badly as they do now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One possible reason for the Hornets' current predicament is the fact that their defense has not been up to snuff as it was last season thus making it more difficult to hold onto those hard fought close games and allow themselves to get battered by 20 to 30 points in others. Last season, Charlotte only allowed their opponents to score 97 points per game, which was fourth in the league and held them to a respectable .442 shooting from the field; however, now that has gone out the window with the Hornets ranking near the bottom in both categories. In the 33 games they played thus far, Charlotte held their opponents to under 100 points in twelve of them where they posted a respectable record of 6-6; however in the other 21 games, they did not fare very well as they just won four of those games--two of which went to overtime, while the others were by a slim margin of just four points. In the other 17 games in which they both allowed their opponents to score 100 or more points, the results varied from marginal decent to absolutely dreadful as nine of them were by ten points or less while the other eight ranged from 15 to 30 points margins. While Charlotte allowed their opponents to hit over the 100 point mark, the same cannot be said about them as they failed to hit the century mark in 11 of those aforementioned 17 games, thus showing not only that their defense has all but collapsed this season, but their offensive production has not been up to snuff, either.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even last season, the Hornets were not the shining beacon of offensive production ranking near the bottom of the league in scoring, field goal percentage and three point field goal percentage; however, even with the new faces that were supposed to change that, the Hornet's offense has become markedly worse. Last season, although they ranked near the bottom of the league in field goal percentage, at least they managed to match the same shooting proficiency whereas now there is a nearly five percent gap between the percentage they shoot and the percentage that they allow against them. To make matters worse, not only do they allow their opponents to out shoot them by a pretty big margin, but they also let them out-rebound them, albeit at a far slimmer one; nonetheless, it is that slim rebounding margin that may have been the difference between winning and losing a game in the final seconds. Charlotte was already at a disadvantage coming into games and not being able to shoot the ball as well as they opponents, but to allow themselves to be out-hustled on the glass is downright shameful because the Hornets needed the rebounding to at least compensate for their poor shooting. As a result, Charlotte no longer looks like the team that bounced back from a league worst seven win season three years ago to become a playoff contender; instead, they have shown themselves a team that has yet to find itself despite coming off such a strong year last season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Much of the problem may have to do with the loss of a key player from last season's playoff team who not only help spread the floor on the offensive end, but also provided a solid defensive presence in the paint as well. Last season, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102636587532154249454" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Josh </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">McRoberts</span></a>, who is now with the Heat, provided such an integral piece of Charlotte's playoff puzzle as he gave them solid outside shooting with his .361 accuracy from beyond the arc plus provided the team with an excellent passing as well with his 4.3 assists per game which was second on the team. What was great about McRoberts was that, unlike his higher profile teammates Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson, he did not need the ball in his hands to be effective and was an excellent complementary player who allowed Kemba to focus more on his scoring rather than having to facilitate his teammates while spreading the floor enough to give Jefferson room to work down low in the paint. With him out of the picture, the Hornets lack that glue player which may not have shown his impact on the stat sheets, but still made his presence felt by doing much of the little things that usually go unnoticed. As for the one the team's front office had signed to replace him in Marvin Williams, he has yet to prove worthy of the two year 14$ million dollar deal that it signed him to as he has been practically a no show for much of the season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Similar to Williams, Charlotte's other high profile addition, Lance Stephenson, has failed to live up to the expectations of the local fans as well as the media mainly due primarily to his offensive struggles upon suiting up as a member of the Hornets. Last season he was not only the second option behind Paul George while playing for the Pacers, he was also the team's leading rebounder, leading assist man as well as steals to go along with him being the league leader in triple doubles. When he spurned the extension offer from the Pacers' <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101508053598900888727" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Larry</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Bird</span></a> choosing instead a shorter contract with Charlotte, many thought this was the coup of the off season as Charlotte acquired a bonafide all star talent and would greatly enhance their already strong core of Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson. Unfortunately, Stephenson's introduction to the Hornets has been rather rocky as he came onto the court shooting ice cold and while he has still provided the team with plenty of assists and rebounds, it was his ability and potential to become a elite scorer that both the fans and media primarily anticipated to see. Fortunately for Charlotte, his all around play has compensated for his current streak and as the season progresses he will regain his shooting touch because he is simply too talented and smart of a player to allow such a cold spell to continue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The same can be said for this Hornets team as they too have come off a very rough start, but with 49 games left in the regular season, there is plenty of time to bounced back from their current slump and return to playoff contention once again. Despite the Hornets predicament, the Eastern Conference is still rather wide open and save for the top four spots that are currently held by the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/114322809962809205233" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #666666; color: red;">+Toronto </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: black;">Raptors</span></a>, the Hawks, Wizards, and Bulls, the other four playoff spots are still up for grabs. Teams such as the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100683165118349235829" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #660000; color: orange;">+Cleveland </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">Cavaliers</span></a>, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117530429380139429277" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">+New Yo</span><span style="background-color: orange; color: blue;">rk Knicks</span></a>, Miami and Brooklyn who were expected to make huge stride have thus far failed miserably in living up to expectation, with Cleveland barely hovering over .500 for much of the season, the Knicks completely falling apart and both the HEAT and Nets barely hanging on to what little leverage they have left. Even teams that have been essentially written off for the season such as the <span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;"><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116274984352579031823" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">+Boston Celtics</span></a>,</span> Magic, and Pacers have a slim, yet still solid chance of making a late run at the post season so with all this uncertainly, there is still a chance that Charlotte to not only return to the playoffs, but maybe even improve from their 43 wins last season. So cheer up Hornets fans and do not panic because there is still a lot of basketball to be played and as it was said before, your team is simply too deep and too talented to not make the post season, especially in a rather weak Eastern Conference. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-52392195815460843242015-01-23T13:45:00.001-05:002015-01-23T13:45:40.295-05:00SDH's 2014/2015 Worst to First Countdown for the First "Slap-mester" (Oct/Nov/Dec): 26. Los Angeles Lakers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111410703357000754962" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">+Los An</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple; font-size: x-large;">geles Lakers</span></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Win/Loss Record as of December 31st,
2014: </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>10-22, fifth place Pacific
Division, 14<sup>th</sup> Place Western Conference<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Projected 2014/2015 Finish</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 72pt;"><a href="http://slapdoghoops.blogspot.com/2014/11/sdhs-20142015-nba-worst-to-first_16.html" target="_blank">17</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Current Rank as of December 31st</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: 72pt;">26</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Team Statistics and League Rank as of
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<li>Points Scored: 102.3 (12<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Points Allowed: 109.2 (30<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team FG%: .436 (23<sup>rd</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponent’s FG%: .478 (29<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team FT%: .746 (17<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Team Three Point FG%: .365 (9<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Rebounds per game: 42.6(14<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponents rebounds per game: 45.0 (28<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Turnovers per game: 12.2 (7<sup>th</sup>)</li>
<li>Opponents turnovers per game: 13.6 (17<sup>th</sup>)</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Individual Statistical Leaders as of
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<li>Scoring (ppg): <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/110/kobe-bryant" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Kobe</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"> Bryant</span></a> (24.1)</li>
<li>Rebounds per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3994/jordan-hill" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Jordan</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"> Hill</span></a> (7.9)</li>
<li>Minutes per game: Kobe Bryant (35.2)</li>
<li>Assists per game: Kobe Bryant (5.2)</li>
<li>Field Goal Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4259/ed-davis" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Ed </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Davis</span></a> (.630)</li>
<li>Free Throw Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3243/nick-young" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Nick </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Young</span></a> (.900)</li>
<li>Three Point FG Percentage: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2528426/jordan-clarkson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Jordan </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Clarkson</span></a> (.455)</li>
<li>Steals per game: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2807/ronnie-price" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Ronnie</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"> Price</span></a> (1.5)</li>
<li>Blocked Shots per game: Ed Davis (1.3)</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Worst of the Class: <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/coaches/_/id/3483/byron-scott" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Byron</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"> Scott</span></a></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">So what do you have to say for yourself Coach Scott? You came into your former team with all smiles promising a new day, with a renewed devotion to defense and new culture of accountability; however none of that has happened thus far. As of now the Lakers rank near the bottom of the league in points and rebounds allowed as well as opponents' field goal percentage thus making them arguably the worst defensive team in the league. On the offensive end, the team has looked confused and out of sync as he has chosen not to commit to a particular set making it absolutely impossible for his players to find any kind of rhythm thus forcing Kobe Bryant to put more on his plate than he has already has. Although many Lakers fans as well as the media have given him the benefit of the doubt, it will all be for naught as Scott will prove once again what so many people have already discovered--that he is a complete fraud and hopefully he will expose himself as one once and for all. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First of the Class: Kobe Bryant</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many pundits and sports analysts had written off Kobe Bryant at the start of the regular season due to his injuries that had him sit out two seasons and the fact that he was getting paid more than any other player in the league despite that and the fact that he is 36 years old to boot. Nevertheless, despite all the talk from his detractors, Kobe has silenced all of his doubters as he bounced back to post an excellent season thus far leading his team in scoring, assists and minutes played per game. Even while his team struggles, he has shown the same poise and confidence as if he were on a championship team never showing any signs of frustration or has any way lashed out on his coach or teammates. What's even more impressive is that despite his team's dire situation, he has still managed to add to his already everlasting legacy as he surpassed his idol, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108142043942572558226" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Michael</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;"> Jordan</span></a>, to become the third all time leading scorer in NBA history. Even though this season can be chalked up for a loss, no one can ever doubt or deny the greatness of the Black Mamba as he continues to prove that he is still one of the greatest players to have ever walked on a basketball court. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was supposed to be a year of redemption as the storied Los Angeles Lakers looked to bounce back from their franchise worst 28 win season as they came into this one with a new coach, new additions, and a healthy roster. There was plenty of excitement for this season as the Purple and Gold welcomed the man who should be credited for saving the league four years ago in <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116645600354943395990" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Jeremy </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Lin</span></a> as well as two time All Star <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101072410362777744556" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Carlos </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Boozer</span></a>, who had a proven winning history while playing for both the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100541792472447759793" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;">+Utah </span><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Jazz</span></a> and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113765985818267570365" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Chicago Bulls</span></a>. Fans also welcomed back Mr. Swaggy P himself, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3243/nick-young" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Nick </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Young</span></a>, who had helped carry last season's struggling team leading it in scoring as well as becoming a favorite both to fans and the media. The same can be said for other fan favorites such as Jordan Hill, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4247/wesley-johnson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Wesley </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Johnson</span></a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2488651/ryan-kelly" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Ryan </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Kelly</span></a>, and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6620/robert-sacre" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Robert</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"> Sacre</span></a>--players who stepped up playing in bigger roles than they have ever experienced or expected to experience earning them the respect of not only the fans, but also the media as well. Together with the anticipated return of the "Black Ma Mamba," as well as the welcoming a Laker alumnus and former champion Byron Scott as the team's head coach, it looked as if the Purple and Gold would once again return to relevance making that unsightly blemish on their pristine legacy last season a mere aberration and one time affair; however, upon the start of the 2014/2015 regular season, last season looked less like an aberration, and more like an unfortunate sign of things to come.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Lakers came into season looking for redemption, but instead found tragedy and pain as they would get steamrolled in their first five games losing by an average margin of fifteen points allowing their opponent to drop an average of 116.8 points while shooting nearly .500 from the field. To make matters worse, this team which welcomed an influx of young talent and veteran experience looked completely amateurish and quite unbecoming of one that made what many considered at the time as rather impressive moves during the off-season. LA managed to stop the bleeding with an impressive win against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117085501640270338175" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: cyan;">+Charlotte</span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan;"> Hornets</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578389" target="_blank">11/9/2014</a>) and despite losing the two games that followed against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108331419083422256676" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Memphis </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: yellow;">Grizzlies</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578396" target="_blank">11/11/2014</a>) and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101477619738648074996" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: red;">+New Orl</span><span style="background-color: #bf9000; color: red;">eans Pelicans</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578406" target="_blank">11/12/2014</a>), the Lakers still put up a solid effort losing by just five against Memphis and by seven against the Pelicans. Unfortunately, any signs of that effort being signs of a steady improvement were dashed when the would lose rather convincingly against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/105765705498074909292" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #999999; color: black;">+San Ant</span><span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;">onio Spurs</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578423" target="_blank">11/14/2014</a>) and get trampled by the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117072717171084573790" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: yellow;">+Golden </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue;">State Warriors</span></a>, who managed to score 136 points on them (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578437" target="_blank">11/16/2014</a>). The Lakers would then finish the month of November winning just three of their last seven games beating the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104597453028172833211" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">+Atlanta </span><span style="background-color: #073763; color: red;">Hawks</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578447" target="_blank">11/18/2014</a>), <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104651471522091388043" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">+Houston Rockets</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578461" target="_blank">11/19/2014</a>) and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/114322809962809205233" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #666666; color: red;">+Toronto </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: black;">Raptors</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578540" target="_blank">11/30/2014</a>), but would allow the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107197977601900902096" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Dallas </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Mavericks</span></a> to crush them by 34 points and allow them to score an unfathomable 140 points (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578472" target="_blank">11/21/2014</a>).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was awful enough to witness the Lakers start the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" target="_blank">+NBA</a> season winning just five games, but what made things even worse was the fact that in all of those games, they only held their opponents under 100 points three times--two of which they lost. Los Angeles also allowed their opponents to score more than 110 points in nine of the 17 games that they played in November thus showing a complete disregard to any effort on the defensive end whatsoever--something which incoming coach Byron Scott declared would be remedied; however, that has certainly not happened. In fact, one can go as far to say that the defense is just as bad if not worse that it was last season when Mike D'Antoni coached the team and at least he had some sort of excuse as the Lakers were severely depleted due to injuries to a point where in one game, a player was allowed to play despite having fouled out due to a league rule that stated that a team has to have a minimum of eight players to play. On the other hand, Scott virtually has no excuse for the team's shameful display of defense considering he inherited a far deeper and more talented and experienced lineup than his predecessor Looking at the poor state of the team, one has to ask whether GM Mitch Kupchack made the right choice in hiring Scott--a coach whose success has been attained not so much by his coaching skills and ability to get through to his players, but the fact that he had the luxury of having future hall of famers in Jason Kidd and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102367169990784136666" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: red;">+Chris</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"> Paul</span></a> playing for him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Lakers seemed to show signs of life in the month of December as they started it winning four of their first seven games; however, as with everything else that has happened, the Lakers would win the first game against an equally dreadful <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117740164364538373585" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">+Detroit</span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;"> Pistons</span></a> team (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578547" target="_blank">12/2/2014</a>), but then lose horrifically against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/117695609606775635474" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">+Washington </span><span style="background-color: red; color: blue;">Wizards</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578556" target="_blank">12/3/2014</a>), <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116274984352579031823" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;">+Boston Celtics</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578571" target="_blank">12/5/2014</a>) and the Pelicans by an average of 16 points. In those three massacres, the Lakers allowed their opponents to not only score 109 points but also shoot .504 and out-rebound them by an average margin of 15; nonetheless, the Purple and Gold managed to redeem themselves with three impressive wins against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115206469672782219638" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: #999999;">+Sacramento</span><span style="background-color: black; color: #999999;"> Kings</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578607" target="_blank">12/9/2014</a>), in a rematch with the Spurs (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578631" target="_blank">12/12/2014</a>), and a hard fought road win against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111231223957836734952" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: lime;">+Minnesota </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: lime;">Timberwolves</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578643" target="_blank">12/14/2014</a>). Unfortunately, the thrill of victory was quickly snuffed out by the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107186556217214438380" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: yellow;">+Indiana</span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #073763;"> Pacers</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578648" target="_blank">12/15/2014</a>) as the Lakers allowed one of the lowest scoring and worst shooting teams to score 110 points and shoot .482 from the field--which is pretty sad considering that Indy finished 2014 averaging just 94.5 points and shot just .431 from the field. LA would lose the two games that followed, but at least those losses were far more respectable with one of them being a one point heart breaker versus the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">City Thunder</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578684" target="_blank">12/19/2014</a>) and Sacramento by just seven points (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578694" target="_blank">12/21/2014</a>); however, they did manage to nab an early Christmas present with a win against the league's best Warriors (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578718" target="_blank">12/23/2014</a>), but had the holiday magic stomped out of them with a 20 point blowout at the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/106348199797674417904" target="_blank">+United Center</a> at the hands of the Bulls <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578722" target="_blank">on Christmas Day</a>. At least LA ended the year on a high note with a road win against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/102060184805262212846" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: orange;">+Denver </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: orange;">Nuggets</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578763" target="_blank">12/30/2014</a>) after losing the previous two against the Mavericks (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578731" target="_blank">12/26/2014</a>) and <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109870053628419941069" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: orange;">+Phoenix </span><span style="background-color: #666666; color: orange;">Suns</span></a> (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400578763" target="_blank">12/28/2014</a>).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nonetheless, it is pretty obvious that after the first three months of the season, the Lakers will not only repeat that dreadful performance from last season, but might actually end up far worse than the previous team despite having greatly upgraded during the off season. Both Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin--two players who were expected to have major impacts and bring the team back to respectability--have failed miserably to live up to expectations and have lost their place in the team's starting five. Lin has been the biggest disappointment not only Lakers fans, but to those who have religiously followed him hoping that he would return to the level he played that garnered him so much acclaim and a humongous pay raise thanks to Houston Rockets. Now instead of justifying the lucrative contract and possibly giving himself a chance to possibly earning himself another one, he is now viewed as a dead weight expiring contract and will probably never see that sort of money again or even be signed by another NBA team. The same can be said for Boozer, who instead of showing how much of a mistake it was for the Bulls to choose <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100779095458956856934" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">+Pau Gasol</span></a> over him letting him go via the league's<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_salary_cap" target="_blank"> amnesty provision</a>, has only justified Chicago's position as both his production and his value as a player continue to slide.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As for the rest of the team, they have essentially also been either missing in action or completely null and void as neither the newcomers or the returning ones from last season have really stepped up their games to provide adequate support for the team's aging star, Kobe Bryant. Nick Young continues to maintain his status as fan favorite and darling of the local media, his contributions on the court have been marginal at best with his poor shooting despite him being second on the team in scoring. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4247/wesley-johnson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Wesley </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Johnson</span></a>, who many expected to have a breakout year, continues to prove how much of a draft day bust failing to live up to his being selected fourth overall in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NBA_draft" target="_blank">2010 NBA Draft</a>, while at the same time fellow castaway turned contributor Xavier Henry, stopped playing after nine games and was subsequently waived. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6620/robert-sacre" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Robert </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Sacre</span></a> also went from being a player who showed plenty of promise last season to becoming a complete non factor on both ends of the floor while <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2488651/ryan-kelly" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Ryan </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Kelly</span></a>, a player who earned a place in the heart of the Lakers faithful due to his hustle and gritty play, has also found himself shunned due to his less than stellar play. Rookie and future fixture of the franchise, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/100103237805742523131" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">+Julius </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Randle</span></a>, fractured his tibia in his first game and was lost for the season while <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/2528426/jordan-clarkson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: purple; color: yellow;">Jordan </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">Clarkson</span></a>, the other highly touted rookie who was considered a draft day steal when the Lakers grabbed him in the second round, has played very sparingly thus far spending most of his freshman year in the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/104900986448661864593" target="_blank">+NBA D League</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The only players who are even worth mentioning other than Bryant are big men Jordan Hill and Ed Davis as they have been the only players on this dysfunctional Lakers team that have played at a high level on both ends of the court while earning coach Scott's confidence and trust. Davis has certainly made his presence felt as a banger and physical presence in the paint earning him a spot on the team's starting five replacing Boozer, who has seemingly fallen out of favor with the team. At the same time, Hill, who may be a free agent at the end of the season if the team decides to rescind their option to keep him next season, may be the sole player worth salvaging out of this sad crew as he has thus far posted career highs in both points (12.0) and rebounds (around eight) per game. As always, Kobe continues to be the team's focal point and continues to prove his skeptics wrong; however, despite him leading in points, assists, and minutes played, his game has fallen at the waist side as well with his less than stellar field goal percentage that went from .404 in October to .348 by the end of December. His effort and desire to play even a modicum of good defense has also continues to disintegrate making his presence on the court more of a hindrance than a help; nevertheless, let us not forget to mention that Kobe has really nothing else to play for as he already has shattered every milestone cementing his place as not only the greatest Laker of all time, but also one of the greatest who has ever played the game of basketball.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With all that has happened thus far in the season and if their performance can be seen as a sign of things to come, it is safe to say that the playoffs are by now absolutely unreachable at this point and this season can be written off as a lost cause for the Los Angeles Lakers. Coming into opening tip off, it looked as if there would be a chance to see the Purple and Gold rise again, if not to the post season then at least bounce back from that embarrassment of a season and finish somewhat respectable by season's end. Unfortunately, that has not come to pass as this once proud franchise that had so much promise and hope coming into the regular season completely fell apart upon stepping onto the basketball court with the future looking even more bleak with each passing game. In a Western Conference that is practically clogged from the bottom to the top, Laker fans may have to wait far longer for their team to return to the stature it once enjoyed and may have to endure more heart-wrenching seasons such as this one. At least through the turmoil, they can hold solace in the fact that once this season finally comes to a close, their team will have the high draft picks and the salary cap space to come back stronger than ever; for now, however, they will have to grit their teeth and endure watching their team continue to fall from grace until they inevitably hot rock bottom. </span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-48300520387981632352015-01-20T13:30:00.001-05:002015-01-20T13:31:28.817-05:00SDH Presents Oklahoma City Thunder Shootaround: Kevin Durant (1/20/2015)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-OPhk4ofYKo" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Forward <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109100387196495436622" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Kevin </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">Durant</span></a> spoke to the media at shootaround prior to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">City Thunder</span></a>'s game against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116388234061758143958" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Miami </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">HEAT</span></a> on Jan. 20, 2015. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Catch more in-depth coverage of the </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #666666;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #666666;">City Thunder</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> as well the other 29 teams in the </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">+NBA</a><span style="font-size: large;"> right here on </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/103405158221306061833" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">+Slap Dog Hoops</a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below. It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4943326938905355037.post-54313051732960202862015-01-20T13:29:00.003-05:002015-01-20T13:31:28.822-05:00SDH Presents Oklahoma City Thunder Shootaround: Scott Brooks (1/20/2015)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HZhbSna0ejU" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Head Coach Scott Brooks spoke to the media at shootaround prior to the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #cccccc;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #cccccc;">City Thunder</span></a>'s game against the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116388234061758143958" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">+Miami </span><span style="background-color: red; color: black;">HEAT</span></a> on Jan. 20, 2015. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Catch more in-depth coverage of the </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115061395390469360477" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: blue; color: #666666;">+Oklahoma </span><span style="background-color: orange; color: #666666;">City Thunder</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> as well the other 29 teams in the </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107685861911873301019" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">+NBA</a><span style="font-size: large;"> right here on </span><a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/103405158221306061833" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">+Slap Dog Hoops</a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Also, please be kind enough to share this post by simply clicking the Facebook, Twitter, G+, and Pinterest buttons below. It would be greatly appreciated; Thanks!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570194431227653058noreply@blogger.com0