PG Rankings 2

Starting Point Guards Countdown (24-19)

24.Mario Chalmers

With the departure of LeBron James, Mario Chalmers should receive more ball handling responsibilities. Erik Spoelstra will expect Chalmers to run the offense efficiently as a veteran and be a bulldog on defense. Chalmers game is predicated on his streaky shooting. When he is knocking down his shots, he tends to attack the basket more and play with confidence. As a result, the Heat are a tougher team to beat. Chalmers is pretty good playing off the ball as well because he is an excellent cutter and a good spot up shooter. Also, he plays better at home because he is one of those players that feeds off of the energy radiating from the fans. Chalmers and Norris Cole are the point guards, but Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng will run the offense as well.

23.Patrick Beverley

Patrick Beverley is another one of those off the ball point guards. Because James Harden handles the ball for Houston, Beverley is a beneficiary of wide-open jumpers and easy lay-ups. He is one of my favorite players in the league, as he tends to do what it takes to help his team win. He is a scrappy defender as he embraces match-ups against some of the best point guards. If you need proof, turn on the playoff series from two years ago against the Thunder. He gave Russell Westbrook fits before his freak injury occured. Beverley was not able to play with the same kind of intensity on defense against Damian Lillard in this year's playoffs because he battled injuries and a flu virus. He is not the flashiest player, but he is a valuable player as he sets the tone for a Rockets team lacking toughness. 

22. Victor Oladipo

I was surprised to see how comfortable Victor Oladipo looked at point guard for Orlando. I thought the Magic reached for him in last year's NBA Draft, but he looks like he will be a solid guard. Oladipo's 13.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and assists, and 1.6 steals per game almost helped him win Rookie of the Year. He is still a work in progress at point guard because distributing the ball does not come natural for him. He committed over three turnovers per game as well, but that is to be expected from a rookie. With the acquisition of Elfrid Payton, Oladipo can now play off the ball more and focus on spotting up beyond the arc and slashing to the basket. He has a first step and athleticism comparable to Dwyane Wade and his poise is unheralded for a young player. On defense, his height and wing span allow him to harass defenders and force them to turn the ball over. Payton and Oladipo should develop nicely under Jacque Vaughn who was a point guard himself. The future is certainly bright in Orlando.

21. Brandon Knight

Brandon Knight had career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals as he started for the sub par Milwaukee Bucks. Knight was a part of a surprising sign and trade deal for Brandon Jennings last offseason and looked comfortable in his new city as he averaged 17.9 points, 4.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1 steal. He plays with poise at point guard as he is never seems to be rattled. He is a good spot up shooter and has sneaky athleticism. Jason Kidd should help Knight develop a knack for finding the open teammate and cutting down his turnovers. Being in a small market with no pressure, Knight should be able to continue to develop as a good young point guard. Barring injuries, the Bucks can be an exciting franchise with Giannis Antetekounmpo, Jabari Parker, Larry Sanders, and Knight leading the charge.

20.Ricky Rubio

The hype surrounding Ricky Rubio when he first entered the NBA was monumental as many expected him to be the second coming of Steve Nash or Pistol Pete Maravich. The euphoria has certainly worn off as Rubio seems to be stuck in mediocrity in terms of his offense. His marvelous passing can leave defenders frozen and the common spectator enamored. Rubio can do it all as he can throw pinpoint lobs, behind the back, through defenders legs, and no look passes. He averaged 8.6 assists a year ago. The problem with Rubio is scoring the ball as he seems to be too pass happy at times and lacks a consistent jumper. I think there were a combination of things that hindered his growth offensively last season. First, Kevin Love needs his 20 touches on a nightly basis and he distributed the ball as well. And second, Rubio probably became hesitant if his jumpers were not going in. At 6'4, Rubio should look to attack the basket more often. If he improves offensively, he can catapult his way into the top 15.

19.Michael Carter Williams

The sky is the limit for Michael Carter-Williams as he is the tallest point guard on this list at 6'6. I look at MCW and instantly think of him being what Shaun Livingston could have been. Like Livingston, he is an absolute giant at point guard with the uncanny ability to distribute the ball, rebound, and bother guys at his position with his length. It had to be frustrating playing in Philadelphia because he could only rely on Thaddeus Young on a nightly basis. Nevertheless, he was still able to average 16.7 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds and win Rookie of the Year. As with any young player, he has to cut down on his turnovers and take better shots. The 76ers have a good coach in Brett Brown who was a former pupil under Gregg Popovich. The influx of six rookies gives the Sixers a better roster and a chance for their young core to grow together. Philadelphia is probably in for another long year, but these are growing pains that will help the Sixers return to basketball supremacy.

    

NFL 2014

NFC Division Predictions

NFC East

The Dallas Cowboys had this division locked up for a good portion of the season. However, a historically horrid Dallas defense and a hot Chip Kelly Eagles team had "America's Team" on the outside looking in during postseason play. On offense, Dallas was one of the best on that side of the ball as they racked up points in bunches. They avoided drafting Johnny Manziel as they selected Zack Martin to stabilize the offensive line. The Eagles parted ways with speed demon DeSean Jackson and drafted receivers Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff. The Redskins named Jay Gruden the new sheriff in town. Also, they signed the aforementioned Jackson and Andre Roberts to help an ailing Robert Griffin. The defense now has two veterans to lean on in Jason Hatcher and Ryan Clark. The Giants still have problems on the offensive line, but the installation of a West Coast offense should help Eli Manning avoid turnovers and sacks. So far, the offense looks balanced and fluid. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was added to the secondary, which should help a struggling defensive line get to the quarterback. There is not much separation amongst these teams as they each have seemingly explosive offenses and mediocre defenses. The Eagles will win this division by a game or two simply because their defense appears to be more reliable on a week to week basis.

NFC North

This is another division with explosive offenses and lackluster defenses. The Bears gave Jay Cutler a new contract this offseason in hopes of him being the driving force behind a deep run in the postseason. The return of Charles Tillman and the services of Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Jay Ratliff, and Kyle Fuller should help a franchise-worst Chicago defense. The Packers stole a division rival as well as they signed Julius Peppers away from the Bears and drafted safety HaHa Clinton-Dix. Having one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Aaron Rodgers always helps. The Lions fired a Jim and hired a Jim as they swapped Schwartz for Caldwell. They continue to overload on offense as they brought in Golden Tate and Eric Ebron. They drafted Ziggy Ansah's former college teammate Kyle Van Noy as they form an all-Cougar duo on the right side of that defense. The Vikings also got a new coach in Mike Zimmer and drafted Teddy Bridgewater. Minnesota can only hope that the third time is a charm as this is their third new quarterback in the last four seasons. Vikings games should look like a rugby scrum because Adrian Peterson will get the ball 30 times a game. Green Bay will win this division by a hair only because Cutler cannot be trusted despite having a better team.

NFC South

Atlanta is the team of this offseason as they host this year's season of Hard Knocks. They appear to have regained their swagger, gotten tougher, and have a thirst for a Super Bowl ring. Matt Ryan will need to cut down on his turnovers, but Julio Jones and Roddy White can bail him out by snatching those would-be interceptions away from defenders. It will be interesting to see what the Falcons can muster out of their running game and who will fill that void over the middle where Tony Gonzalez used to be. Stephen Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, and Devonta Freeman have the looks of a solid running back committee. New Orleans parted ways with home run threat Darren Sproles, but they added Brandin Cooks who should be a Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Pick artists Jairus Byrd and Champ Bailey should help a much improved Saints defense so expect more blitzes from Rob Ryan. On the other hand, there should be a concern amongst the Saints organization because of Drew Brees's back. The Panthers were one of the surprises in the NFL a year ago, but they should come back down to Earth this season with a brutal schedule. Cam Newton is coming off ankle surgery and probably showed up to camp scratching his head because he lost all of his receivers. Kelvin Benjamin is a promising receiver, but expect Carolina to deliver a heavy dosage of run. Finally, the Buccaneers got a new coach in Lovie Smith and fans can only hope there are glory days ahead similar to his former mentor Tony Dungy. They added Mike Evans at receiver and Alterraun Verner at corner as their notable acquisitions. Also, Josh McCown seems to have a leg up on the quarterback battle against Mike Glennon. The Saints and Falcons should have a tug a war battle for the division title. I flipped a coin before deciding the winner and I went with the Falcons.

NFC West

The Super Bowl champion Seahawks were quiet this offseason for a very animated team. They drafted Kevin Norwood and Paul Richardson to help bring more explosion to the offense. There is not much to clamor about as Seattle maintained a good percentage of their core. The 49ers were a play or two away from being in the Super Bowl, but Richard Sherman had other plans. That lead to one of the greatest sound bites in the history of sound bites, but I'm getting off topic. They drafted Carlos Hyde as an insurance back, which is paying off now. They too kept a good percentage of their core. St. Louis is a team many think can make the playoffs and have a shot to win the NFC West, but it all lies on the shoulders of Sam Bradford. The Rams helped their offense as they added former Auburn Tigers Greg Robinson and Tre Mason. They also added depth on defense with Lamarcus Joyner, Aaron Donald, and EJ Gaines. They are hoping the presence of Kenny Britt can help their offense, but it is a gamble. The Arizona Cardinals head into this season hoping to make the playoffs after barely missing the postseason with a 10-6 record. The Cardinals will look to run the ball more as they get Jonathan Cooper back from injury and Jared Veldheer from Oakland. On the other side of the ball, they paired Antonio Cromartie up with Patrick Peterson and drafted Deone Bucannon to be the enforcer in the secondary. Like the first three NFC divisions, this too was a tough one to decide because two or three good teams from this division will miss the playoffs. Do not be surprised if the Seahawks or Niners miss the playoffs. I think San Francisco ends up winning this division. They were going through an identity crisis midseason a year ago, but I think they have it figured out.

NFL 2014

AFC Division Predictions

AFC East

The Patriots have been the class of the AFC East division over the last decade led by the Hall of Fame duo Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. The Patriots have a revamped defense featuring two blanket corners in Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner as well as the return of ex-Patriot Patrick Chung. The offense should be more lethal with a healthy Rob Gronkowski and a year of experience with the wideouts. The Jets, Dolphins, and Bills each made offseason headlines in the draft or free agency. The Jets brought in hard hitting safety Calvin Pryor and Eric Decker as the top pass catcher. The Dolphins stabilized their offensive line with Ja'Wuan James and Billy Turner. Also, they got Ryan Tannehill another weapon in Jarvis Landry. The Bills jumped to the four spot in the draft to select the dynamic receiver Sammy Watkins. In reality, these three teams will be fighting for second in the division and a possible shot as a wild card team. They will give New England problems, but the Patriots are head and shoulders above these teams.

AFC North

The AFC North might be the hardest division to predict because every team is in flux. The Cincinnati Bengals, on paper, are expected to be a Super Bowl contender, but they lost their offensive and defensive coordinators. In addition, they have a quarterback surrounded by a barrage of playmakers that seems to go brain dead in pressure situations. If you do not believe me, watch his last three playoff games. Andy Dalton is still young and with the new contract he received the Bengals seem to be clear-minded despite his Casper-like playoff performances. The Ravens and Steelers struggled with their identities a year ago. This offseason they both seem committed to becoming tougher and running the ball effectively. Then there is the Cleveland Browns. They were the only team to make offseason headlines from this division as they drafted Johnny Manziel. There is a flip side to those headlines as Josh Gordon forced them to tamper any playoff expectations they were beginning to garner. Each of these teams has a strong defense so the team with a consistent offense will be key in this division race. I will go with Baltimore over Cincinnati by default only because of a re-energized run game led by Ray Rice.

AFC South

The Tennessee Titans will hope the arrival of Ken Whisenhunt will help Jake Locker and the offense progress. The defense will take a hit as Alterraun Verner left town for Tampa Bay. The Titans will be an 8-8 as they will struggle with finding an identity under their new coach. The Jacksonville Jaguars will win this division only if 10 teams on their schedule forfeit for some reason. Even 10 wins might not be enough for this team because well it is the Jaguars. They will finish last in this division and I know that is shocking. Back to reality, the Texans and Colts are the teams expected to go neck and neck for this division title. Houston is coming off a two-win season that ended on a 14-game skid. They drafted Jadeveon Clowney to play opposite of JJ Watt and brought in Bill O'Brien as the head coach. O'Brien is expected to get Houston back to the playoffs, but he will need a quarterback first. The team is currently hosting a three-way battle between Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum, and rookie Tom Savage. After producing laying an egg offensively, it is safe to say this battle is more like a stalemate. Many experts believe Fitzpatrick will be the starter because of his experience. The Colts will be a healthy bunch this season as they will get Reggie Wayne, Vick Ballard, and Dwayne Allen back on the field. Their defense is suspect, but with Andrew Luck under center he can help mitigate any problems on the other side of the ball. My prediction is that the Colts will barely win 10 games and take this division.

AFC West

If this division is anything like a year ago, this will be one of the best division's in the NFL. The Broncos, Chiefs, and Chargers all made it to the postseason and almost made it to the second playoff weekend. A Jamaal Charles injury changed that scenario. Denver will be expected to win this division as they have been labeled "A Team on a Mission". Demarcus Ware, TJ Ward, and Aqib Talib will be expected to provide an edge to a defense that lacked toughness a year ago. On offense, Eric Decker is gone, but Emmanuel Sanders is no slouch at receiver. Finally, the diagnosis given to Pat Bowlen will only add to a fire the Broncos are itching to start. However, San Diego and Kansas City will not lay down as both teams either have a top 10 offense or defense. Philip Rivers will look to continue his renaissance and try to win a Super Bowl. He has at least six or seven playmakers on offense. The Chiefs will be out to prove that last season was no fluke. They looked like Super Bowl contenders until they flamed out in the second half down in Lucas Oil Stadium. The Oakland Raiders will be a team to reckon with as they signed veterans James Jones, Maurice Jones-Drew, Justin Tuck, Lamarr Woodley and Matt Schaub. They too have a chance to win eight or nine games. The Broncos will more than likely win his division, but the Chargers and Chiefs will be resilient.

Bulls pt. 1

Current State of Chicago 

It has been a busy offseason for the front office of Chicago led by Gar Forman and John Paxson. They continue to put faith into Tom Thibodeau as they let a key member off the bench, D.J. Augustin, leave via free agency for a fourth consecutive season. The Bulls were proactive as they met with players like Carmelo Anthony, Lance Stephenson, and even reached out to Minnesota regarding Kevin Love. Unfortunately, they were not able to get the services of these marquee players. However, they have a roster that has many labeling them as the favorites in the East.

The Bulls were really active this offseason as they barely missed out on the chance to acquire Anthony. For fear of missing out on Anthony, Chicago was able to sign the 34-year old Spaniard Pau Gasol. Subsequently, they amnestied Carlos Boozer after a mercurial four-year tenure in the Windy City. Gasol brings the same offensive skills as Boozer, but is a little better on the defensive end. He and Joakim Noah should form one of the most skilled set of big men in the NBA.

Chicago was able to add an influx of young talent that included Doug McDermott, Cameron Bairstow, and Nikola Mirotic. McDermott is a 6’8 forward who is much more than justna spot up shooter. He averaged well over 20 points his senior season, scored over 3000 points in his career, and was named the John Wooden Player of the Year. At the 2014 Summer League, McDermott averaged 18 points, four rebounds, and shot 44 percent from beyond the arc. He showed his ability to get the free throw line, post up, and finish through contact as well. Next, Bairstow was very scrappy in Summer League play as he found ways to annoy players, rebound, and score easy points. In a crowded frontcourt, minutes may be hard to accumulate, but his energy will make him a favorite of Thibodeau. Finally, Mirotic was finally lured out of the Spanish league to play for Chicago as a big man that could spread the floor. He was named the Spanish League MVP in 2013 and has the shooting touch to be in the 40/50/90 club. Being around veterans Noah, Gasol, and Gibson, Mirotic should be able to develop an all around game.

Chicago patched up their backcourt as they re-signed Kirk Hinrich and brought in Aaron Brooks to replace Augustin. Hinrich brings a steady temperament off the bench while Brooks provides another scorer. With the return of Derrick Rose, Chicago should be a top three team in the Eastern Conference. They have a deep roster with players that know their roles led by a stringent head coach in Thibodeau. The time to win a title in Chicago is now with aging stars and an Eastern Conference that seems to be getting better.

Draft Day

NBA Draft Recap

The NBA ushered in a new era of basketball as over 60 players have became a part of this private league. The talent was certainly there as teams could find practically anything they needed to take that next step as a franchise. We saw a record seven players drafted by one team in the Philadelphia 76ers. On the other hand, there were three teams without a selection, most notably, the Golden State Warriors. Today, I will recap the draft and give my analysis on a few rookies. 

Biggest surprise

Nik Stauskas going to Sacramento at number eight was the biggest surprise because they needed a big man. Noah Vonleh would have made more sense because of his ability to rebound and be a stretch big man next to Demarcus Cousins. Make no mistake, Stauskas is a good player and worthy of a lottery selection, but where are his minutes going to come from? The Kings already have players that are "shot happy" in Rudy Gay, Isaiah Thomas, and Ben McLemore. The Kings organization might be working on a possible trade to free up some minutes for Stauskas so we will just have to wait and see. The fact that they drafted him should indicate how they really feel about McLemore. After all, the 2013 draft was subpar. Anyway, Stauskas gives the Kings another shooter with slashing ability, instant offense, and a lot of swagger. His energy can serve as a way for them to gain momentum in games.

Biggest Jump

Elfrid Payton really gained some traction after he finished his junior season at Louisiana-Lafayette. He is a raw athlete at point guard with good height at 6'3. He struggles with a broken jump shot, but Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook are proof that you can develop a premier athlete's jumper. Now Payton is a good athlete, but he is not on Rose or Westbrook's level. Then again, who is? He was originally drafted at number 10 by Philadelphia, but we now know that he will be playing in Orlando. The reason why he had such a quantum leap was because of his overall upside. I thought he would go late in the lottery or at least somewhere in the first round, but he ultimately made his way to selection 10. Patience will be key with him on offense; however, on defense he is a bulldog and will fit in well next to Victor Oladipo.

Biggest Fall

One of my favorite players in this draft besides the aforementioned Payton is Cleanthony Early. He really flew under the radar in such a weak Missouri Valley Conference, but he was Wichita State's most consistent player. Against Kentucky, Early put on a special performance in a game that might go down as an ESPN Instant Classic. I thought the work he did all season along with his tournament run would have did enough to push him into the first round, but now I stand corrected. I think he fell into a good spot with the New York Knicks only IF Carmelo Anthony does not return to the blue and orange. Early will have to prove that he can play with the same skills he showed against Kentucky on a nightly basis. I think he will because of his array of moves as a slasher and decent shooting ability. His 6'8 frame will help him on the defensive end and he is an underrated athlete.

Most Ready Players

Jabari Parker played at a mature level for a freshman at Duke. He showed an array of moves as he can post defensive players, slashes to the basket, and showed an adequate jump shot. He is ready to step in and be the franchise player the Milwaukee Bucks so desperately need. The problem with Parker may lie with his lateral quickness to defend small forwards as well as his tendency to get complacent with his jumper. Do not be surprised when you see his ball handling ability on display. Doug McDermott is in the best position as a rookie lottery selection as he will not be asked to be the first, second, or third option on the Bulls. He will be asked to come off screens and do what he does best, which is shoot the ball. He can handle the ball and his length will help him on defense. If Mike Dunleavy and Kyle Korver can survive without athleticism, so too can McDermott. Noah Vonleh is also in a good position to succeed right away as a rookie. He can shoot the ball well as a stretch power forward, but can also do the dirty work inside. Playing alongside Al Jefferson will help him become a formidable professional and step in immediately as a starter for the Charlotte Hornets.

Steals

Kyle Anderson will be one of those typical young Spurs players that will disappear for a year or two then burst onto the scene and make you wonder who he is. Gregg Popovich is not too fond of playing rookies right away with the exception of the soft-spoken Kawhi Leonard. Anderson will eventually see the floor when Pop deems it okay. He can eventually be the predecessor to Boris Diaw and help steer the Spurs toward a new era. Anderson has a good feel for the game and does not allow defenders to play at a pace that could make it uncomfortable for him. TJ Warren may end up playing right away for the Suns or elsewhere depending on what Phoenix does this summer. He plays like an old school player as he is not very athletic and chooses to shoot 17 footers instead of three pointers. If he develops a three point shot, Warren can become a dynamic scorer in an already potent Suns offense. Remember, he was the ACC Player of the Year not the number two pick in Parker.

Most interesting Undrafted Rookies

Not everyone can be drafted, but that does not mean undrafted rookies cannot have an impact on a team's success. Travis Bader is an intriguing undrafted rookie because he broke JJ Reddick's record for three point field goals made in a career. Yes, he played against inferior talent at Oakland, but shooting is something that cannot be underestimated. If he learns to play some defense, he may work his way into the league as a designated shooter off the bench. DeAndre Kane had the talent and the productivity to be drafted in the second round, but his biggest downfalls were not having a consistent jumper and being an older player. Kane can be a big addition to a team that signs him because of his maturity and composure at point guard. Also, he has an uncanny ability to rebound well at his position and did I mention he is 6'4? Artem Kilmenko is a 7'1 center from Russia who lacks the athleticism to play in the NBA and is unproven against solid competition. He has great hands, good pick and roll footwork, and can run like a deer, but his lack of verticality is what holds him back. He is certainly worth a roster spot as a project as the payoff can be tremendous.

Biggest takeaway

The biggest takeaway I got from this draft was the overall depth. There were players like Cleanthony Early, Joe Harris, and KJ McDaniels with first round talent, but that is a result of many underclassmen forgoing their final years in college. A lot of these players were taken later or went undrafted, but I think they will have a chance to make a roster and have an impact. In due time, this will go down as one of the historic draft classes with potential stars at the front and back end of this class. The future certainly looks bright for the players, franchises, and the NBA.

Dynamite

Dynamic Game Changers

Lance Stephenson

Despite his lack of maturity and questionable antics, Stephenson's impact in a game is always felt. He has decent skills on offense as he averaged 14.8 points and 4.6 assists. The catch with him is making sure he is interested and on his best behavior. Early in the season, we saw an All-Star caliber player determined to prove his worth as he looks to garner a big contract. After the All-Star break, Stephenson pouted because he was not named an All-Star. His selfishness was felt as Indiana stumbled to a screeching halt by the Miami Heat. Questions have surfaced as to if "Born Ready" (Stephenson's nickname) is worthy of a big payday. Nevertheless, Stephenson was Indiana's second best player and even their best option at times. His offense comes and goes, but his energy and highlight reel plays can solely swing the momentum in his team's favor.

Nicolas Batum

Batum is often the forgotten man on the TrailBlazers because he does not put up gaudy numbers. He probably has the biggest scoring role to fill on this list because of Portland's less than stellar depth. He still does not have to score a lot as he plays alongside franchise cornerstones LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard. Batum does everything Portland needs him to do like rebounding, defending the other team's best player, run the offense, and score. His size, length, and speed really make him a matchup nightmare when he chooses to be aggressive. In an era where the small forward position is suddenly deep, Batum often gets overlooked.

Boris Diaw

Diaw is like a Swiss Army knife because of all of the qualities he possesses. This is a guy that looked like he was on his way out of the league two or three years ago. In the NBA Finals, Diaw looked like a rejuvenated player we used to see back in 2006 with the Phoenix Suns. When you look at him, he is not an imposing player. He is 6'9, but he is overweight, slow, old, undersized at his position, and lacks athleticism. This is a reminder that looks can be deceiving. Diaw has put on a passing display, imposed his will on defenders with his weight, and used his "speed" to score a few buckets here and there. Credit Tony Parker for being critical of his native Frenchman with telling him to be more aggressive.

Rajon Rondo

Rondo is the only franchise player on this list and it is completely absurd how much of an impact he has on a game without scoring much. It's absurd because the modern day point guard is expected to score 16 to 20 points on a daily basis. Not so fast, Rondo is not your modern point guard. He is a throwback player similar to Jason Kidd before he developed a consistent jumper. Rondo always looks to set his team up as a flamboyant distributor. Also, he rebounds, harasses offensive players, and is a one man show sprinting toward the breakaway rim in transition. We know that Rondo is always on triple double alert the problem with him is just getting the 10 points necessary. I believe his ACL tear was a blessing in disguise because he made more three pointers last season than in any other year. He went 26-90 in just 30 games. It's something to keep your eye on.

Joakim Noah

These last two years have indicated to me that Noah is indeed in his prime as a big man. He is now a Defensive Player of the Year award winner, 2 time All star, and a First Team All-NBA big man. It is an impressive resume, but when you watch the Bulls play you would probably wonder why. Noah's value comes through his passion, hustle, and energy. He receives nothing but high praise from coaches around the league. Noah is a rare stat sheet stuffer as an NBA big. He will grab his nightly double double and with a Derrick Rose-less Bulls team he is essentially their floor general as he averaged 5.4 assists per game. It will be interesting to see the offseason moves made by the John Paxson and Gar Forman. They are concerned with Derrick Rose, but they need to make sure they keep Joakim Noah in mind with their decisions.

Tony Allen

Numbers do lie whenever it concerns Trick-or-Treat Tony's impact in basketball games. Allen is an erratic shooter, but excels in the open court and makes good courts toward the basket. He can occasionally have nights where he rebounds like a big as well. Allen's paycheck is predicated on his defense. Even though he is undersized, he is still able to get up and under defenders at 6'4. His wingspan allows him to bother guys like Lebron James and Kevin Durant. Allen provides a much-needed spark to the Grizzlies when they need it at home because he is a fan favorite.

Feeling Melo

It’s a Melo Situation 

With the hiring of Phil Jackson as the president in March, it is clear the Knicks are on to a new era. However, it is a new era with the same concerns as before, which is whether Carmelo Anthony will sign a long-term deal or leave New York. It seems as if New York has no idea what they want to do because they have had little extension talks with Melo. Also, they never made any efforts to get significant pieces around him during the season. Knicks fans have to be concerned as to what direction the team will choose to go. The Knicks do not have a lottery pick in this year's draft so the chance to build toward the future is on hold. What does the Zen master have in mind? I will try to answer this complex question, but I am sure Phil has no idea what he wants to do.

If the Knicks sign Melo, they will stay squarely in a position to make the playoffs in a lackluster Eastern Conference. The Knicks want to pay Anthony, but still have spare change. In other words, they do not want to give him a max contract. Jackson will more than likely try to clear up more cap space by dumping Amare Stoudemire and Raymond Felton's contracts. Next, he will look for players that fit his triangle offense or have experience in it to help the transition flow smoothly. Lamar Odom should see significant playing time under rookie head coach Derek Fisher. That is of course if his skills are still there. If Jackson and Fisher struggle with implementing the triangle offense, the Knicks will run a more simplified offense predicated around Anthony's strengths. There are not many players that would seem to intrigue Jackson this offseason besides Jordan Hill and maybe Kyle Lowry. If Jackson learned anything under the late Jerry Buss and Mitch Kupchak, it is to keep your possibilities to yourself. This means that you Knicks fans should be excited at a possible blockbuster deal. Cough Rajon Rondo cough.

The other option involves letting Anthony walk away and pressing the "reset" button. This would not be a bad idea considering the fact that it is a new regime with Jackson and Fisher at the helm. The problem is finding teams that will take on the contracts of not only Stoudemire and Felton, but also JR Smith and possibly Tyson Chandler. It is very unlikely to get rid of all of these players especially Smith. However, you have to start over somewhere. Getting rid of these players will clear the landscape and allow the Knicks to go after a superstar in next year's offseason or potentially select a player in next year's lottery. Knicks fans are not patient so I do not foresee the Knicks betting it all on some 19 year old. Jackson hardly played rookies as a coach so this route is very unlikely. With or without Melo, Jackson will look to build New York into a championship team overnight. He will clear out enough players to have the money to do so. When we least expect it, Jackson will pull the trigger and control basketball headlines. Heck, he already did so with signing Fisher as his head coach. Strap your seat belts because this ride is barely getting started.