International Prospects

International Draft Prospects 2016

Dragan Bender: Croatia, 7'1, 216 lbs. (Top 5 Pick)

Bender is projected to be top five pick in this year's draft making him the highest rated foreigner in the 2016 class. His slim build likely means he is better suited to play at power forward. Bender is a versatile big who runs like a deer in transition or starts the break by throwing great outlet passes. His 9'3 standing reach gives hope for him as a good rebounder and a defensive force. On offense, the Croatian has an all around skill set including passing, post play, and shooting. He can post defenders up and pick up an assist or score around the basket. Bender's face up game is where he is proficient because he loves to use his speed to take defenders off the dribble. In addition, his shooting ability keeps defenders honest. Also, he can stretch out to make three pointers. Bender needs to add some muscle to his frame and become more explosive. He has the potential to be a good scoring option in an offense, but not necessarily a go to scorer.

Furkan Korkmaz: Turkey, 6'7, 185 lbs. (Mid-1st Rounder)

Korkmaz has the potential to be the best foreign player in this draft with his offensive repertoire. He is known for being an excellent shooter. Korkmaz has the ability to be a streaky knockdown shooter, shoot off screens, and shoot off the dribble. He has good form, a high release, and extension on his shot. Korkmaz shooting sets up a lot of the things he likes to do. His shooting ability spaces the floor and allows him to be a good playmaker. Korkmaz has a sneaky way of changing direction with the ball as he drives to the rack where he can finish with an emphatic dunk. He struggles against size, but his 185-pound frame should fill out, as he gets older. Defensively, Korkmaz has to become more disciplined and focus in on his assignment. He has the tendency to stand straight up and lose his defender with mental lapses. 

Timothe Luwawu: France, 6'7, 205 lbs. (1st Rounder)

The first thing you notice when one watches Luwawu is his lanky frame and the wingspan of a pterodactyl. He follows suit by using that 7'2 wingspan by playing above the rim with ease and finishing with his left or right hand. Luwawu is a marginal shooter so early on in his career many defenders will allow him to take intermediate and long range jumpers. If he can set his feet and stay balanced, he can make a jumper with his clean follow through. Luwawu can handle the rock as he uses his long strides in the transition game or in the half court running pick and rolls. He is crafty with the ball with a smooth hesitation move to get where he wants. The Frenchman has to learn how to play with composure when defenders get up and into him. He ends up turning the ball over a lot or takes low percentage shots. Also, Luwawu lacks the awareness, defensively, to be on the court at times.

Ivica Zubac: Croatia, 7'1 260 lbs. (Late 1st Rounder) 

The Croatian has excellent size to enter the NBA and be a rotation player as a rookie. His size allows him to hold his own on the low block as well as post up where he can finish with a hook or spin toward his right shoulder. Also, Zubac uses his length to rebound on the offensive glass and alter shots defensively. He has defensive potential so he just needs good coaching on fundamentals and he will get better with game experience. He has soft hands and catches everything cleanly in the post. Zubac loves to use his speed to beat bigs down the court or diving to the basket on pick and rolls. However, he has to improve his pick and roll defense. When he switches onto a guard, Zubac looks really awkward and gets blown by. He needs to box out more often or the elite bigs will out rebound him. Finally, he is not athletic due to his knee injuries. 

Guerschon Yabusele: France, 6'8, 260 lbs. (Late 1st/ Early 2nd Rounder)

Yabusele plays with good energy and a high motor for an undersized big. I think he takes it personal when he plays bigger players because he is ultra aggressive and tries to dominate them. Yabusele is extremely strong and explosive when finishing in the paint. He is dexterous and maintains good body control in the air offensively and defensively. The Frenchman uses pump fakes to keep defenders on their heels and has a good drop step. He is as quick as a cat in transition. Yabusele uses that quickness to disrupt passing lanes with his seven-foot wingspan. His long arms also help him out rebound others. With his size and body frame, he is easily comparable to DeJuan Blair. Yabusele can be a bit over aggressive at times that can get him into foul trouble. His jumper needs work and he struggles against athletic bigs.

Ante Zizic: Croatia, 6'10, 240 lbs. (Early 2nd Rounder)

Zizic could earn the reputation as the toughest foreigner in this year's class. He does not excel at one skill, but he does everything with a great deal of energy. Offensively, he is another big that is fleet of foot. Zizic will run in transition and set good hard screens so he can dive to the basket. He can manufacture easy points by attacking the glass for easy put backs. Defensively, he makes it hard for defenders to post him up. Against the pick and roll, Zizic competes hard even when he is matched up against guards. He does not have good lateral quickness as a defender and his jumper needs to be developed. The word that best describes Zizic is: fighter. He will not “wow” you with his stats, but when you watch the film his impact is felt on both ends. Zizic will be a good change of pace backup big like Tyler Hansbrough or Luis Scola.

Juan Hernangomez: Spain, 6'9, 220 lbs. (2nd Rounder)

Hernangomez is an all or nothing type player meaning it's either a basket at the rim or a three-point bomb. He is a smart player with a good feel for the game offensively. The Spaniard has a nice shot with a quick shooting motion. He hardly takes a bad shot when he has the ball and he is good in pick and pop situations. He can come off screens well as a shooter and can make a cut toward the basket if the defender is overzealous. Hernangomez can occasionally put the ball on the deck and finish in the paint. He is tough on the glass as well with his relentless pursuit. Hernangomez is a tweener as he is not quick enough to defend wing players, but not strong enough against big men. 

Isaia Cordinier: France, 6'5, 183 lbs. (2nd Rounder)

Cordinier is a supreme athlete with long strides in the open court. He loves attacking the rim with malice. He will run a lot of backdoor cuts to generate his points and he slashes to the rim with the ball. Cordinier shoots the ball with more confidence than he did a year ago with great elevation on his shot that makes it hard to block. He has good arc on his shot; however, it still needs some work. The French guard can pass well too with flashy ball movement. On defense, he plays an annoying brand with good energy and pesky play. Cordinier is willing to stick his nose in the paint and rebound for his team. His intangibles are what make him an intriguing second round selection. Cordinier is a gym rat and plays with a tremendous amount of heart according to his coach in France. Cordinier is better off at shooting guard, but he will need to guard point guards. He does struggle with playing through contact; in addition, teams are not so high on him because he does not play in the best French league. He will be a project player wherever he is drafted. If what Cordinier's coach says is true, his commitment to the game should pay dividends.

Best SG

Shooting Guard Arms Race

The shooting guard position has a rich history with players that people, today, still recognize and pay homage to. Jerry "Mr. Clutch" West dominated the position in the 60s and early 70s with a relentless style of play on both ends. His ability to thrive in every statistical category helped him win a championship and be the poster boy for the association. Today, he is still a main cog in the NBA as he is the league's world-renowned logo. In the 70s and early 80s, the league saw "Pistol" Pete Maravich and George "Iceman" Gervin share the best two-guard title as they revolutionized the position. They took on more of a scoring role and shot more three pointers, which made shooting guard the flashiest position on the floor. From there, Michael Jordan took over and brought the NBA more fans around the world with his athleticism and sheer desire to be great. His scoring and six championships still have people believing he is the greatest shooting guard of all time. After Jordan, Kobe Bryant came along and was unanimously named the best shooting guard during his prime as he put together over a ten-year run of dominance. This included five championship rings and dubious Jordan-like performances. During The Black Mamba's run of dominance, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, and Dwyane Wade had years of outstanding play that gave them recognition as one of the best with Bryant. With Wade and Bryant on the downside of their illustrious careers, there is a void left at the top of the shooting guard mountain. 

For the last few seasons, James Harden has undoubtedly been the best off guard in the league. The climb to the top for him was not easy as he made a name for himself as a sixth man for the Thunder. Harden would come off of Oklahoma City's bench and give his team the boost it needed as a scorer and facilitator. Before the 2012- 13, he was surprisingly traded to Houston after both sides failed to agree on a contract extension. Due to his lackluster NBA Finals performance, many wondered if he could lead a team on his own, but he answered those questions emphatically as he led his team to the postseason. What he lacks in defensive ability he makes up for in his ability to score. Harden has a streaky shooting ability that allows his team to always have a chance to make a comeback. He "cooks" opponents up on a nightly basis with his ability to shoot, score in the paint, and knack for getting to the charity stripe. "The Beard's" propensity to get to the line makes him someone you love to root for if he is on your team, but hate if he is not. In the last four seasons, Harden has averaged 26.8 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game that places him near the top of each statistical category at his position. Nevertheless, in the Rockets quest to win a championship, Harden is perfect for their analytical approach, which is shoot efficiently from long range and get to the free throw line. His reign as the best off guard could be over as he has competition from two rising stars. Klay Thompson of the Warriors and Jimmy Butler of the Bulls have arrived at the top of the mountain and look to share or take the title for the best two guard for themselves.

Thompson and Butler have come on strong these last two seasons for their respective ball clubs. Thompson came into the league as a spot up shooter. He has surpassed all expectations and turned himself into an All-Star as well as a second option for his team. Thompson has averaged 22.2 points along with over three long-range field goals the last two years while shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc. Despite Golden State's Draymond Green being known as their defensive stalwart, the other half of the Splash Brothers does his fair share of defensive duties. Thompson often finds himself locked up with the opposing team's best perimeter threat. His two-way play has been an integral part in the Warriors two-year dominance. Thompson is thought of as just a great shooter, but his game continues to evolve with his ability to shoot off the dribble, post defenders, and get inside the paint. His scoring ability widens the court and opens driving lanes for his teammates. Thompson is earning more respect from those around the league and the world as he has proven he is more than capable of taking over for his team. His quiet approach should not belie his competitive nature because he is a silent assassin. 

Chicago is no stranger to boasting the best shooting guard in the NBA. The aforementioned Jordan brought much pride and joy to the city as he dominated the league along with the position itself. Butler is nowhere near the level of number 23, but he is certainly no scrub. He came into the league as a rotation player and at best a solid defensive player. With grit, determination, and scrappy play, Butler has been that rock turned to diamond for the Bulls as he has now become the team's best player. He is a blue chip player, which seems to be a common theme amongst former Marquette players like Jae Crowder, Wade, and Wesley Matthews.  He became a tougher and more confident player under Tom Thibodeau's tutelage. Early on, Butler could not shoot, dribble, or score on a consistent basis. With disheartening injuries to Chicago's star and players, the team found someone they could trust and go to in big moments. Butler has averaged 20.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game there's last two years and can occasionally set teammates up with his passing. He is known for his in between play, ability to finish in traffic, get to the line, and timely steals leading to transition dunks. When he is locked in, Butler has the ability to drop 40 on the man in front of him. His commitment to excellence earned him Most Improved Player and made him an All-Star in recent years. Thompson and Butler's growth has allowed them to reopen the debate for who is at the top of the shooting guard mountain.

Sure Thompson and Butler are not as box office as Harden, but they should not be discounted as two of the best players at their position. Harden is most certainly the best scorer and he has the stats to supersede this crop of players. However, Thompson and Butler's newfound abilities to put points up in bunches along with their two way play has closed the gap in the shooting guard race significantly. Each of these guys brings something the other guy cannot do to the table. This debate is likely something that will continue until one of these players dominates at a higher level or separates themselves with championships. Jordan and Kobe made it hard to dispute their superiority as shooting guards in both regards.

Buddy Hield

The Evolution of Buddy Hield

Buddy Hield has, literally, come a long way in his basketball journey. Hailing from Freeport, Bahamas, he has always maintained that sweet jump shot, passion for the big moment, and charisma. Hield was recognized as the best Bahamian player as an eighth grader and would go on to have a decorated high school career. However, it was not until a 35-point outburst in a Kansas Adidas 64 Invitational with highly touted teammate Perry Ellis that gave Hield the recruiting buzz he needed. Josh Pastner of Memphis and Bill Self of Kansas were in attendance as they took notice of the Bahamian sharpshooter. Hield would go on to choose Oklahoma over Kansas to continue his basketball career.

Through the years at Oklahoma, Hield has always shown up in big games. His natural scoring ability made him the go to scorer as a freshman and over the years he has mastered new ways to put up points. Early on, Hield was a spot up shooter and had a flare for getting into the open court for runaway dunks and lay ups. Now, Hield can put the ball on the deck and get to the rim as well as shoot off the dribble. His length allows him to rebound better than a player at 6'4. Hield has never been the primary playmaker for the Sooners, as he has never averaged more than 2.1 assists in his career. Jordan Woodard has always been the one to allow him to play off the ball as well as Isaiah Cousins. After a stellar junior season, many believed Hield was destined for the NBA as a potential first round selection. He was a third team All-American, first team All-Big 12 player, and the Big 12 Player of the Year. In addition, Hield navigated Boomer Sooner nation to a surprise Sweet 16 appearance. There was more risk than reward for the spunky shooting guard to return to OU right? Wrong. Hield stayed true to a promise he made as a true freshman.

When he first stepped foot on campus, Hield vowed to do everything in his power to make sure he took Oklahoma to a Final Four. Also, he came back for another year because he never beat Kansas in the Phog Allen Fieldhouse. Hield came up short in early January in a three-overtime thriller against Kansas. Hield finished with 46 points in a valiant effort in which he received a standing ovation from the Kansas faithful. Throughout the year, he has shown great improvement in his all around game. Hield used to force shots and not trust his teammates earlier in his career. He has realized he cannot win games alone and has let his teammates ease his workload. Hield has even improved as an on ball defender this season. The killer instinct and high motor he has developed in the last two years is what truly separates him from any other player in America. This has scouts clamoring for the opportunity to watch him live and have the opportunity to draft him this offseason.

The Sooners run to the Final Four has been tremendous and appealing to the average spectator. The biggest difference between this year's bunch and last year's is mental toughness and finishing games. The senior guard demonstrates those qualities in his own game. Whether it is against a gritty Hawaii team on the road in mid December, big 12 foes West Virginia and Iowa State, or a battle tested Virginia Commonwealth team that held him in check in the first half, Hield has adapted and silenced critics as well as opponents. That is how Oklahoma has made it all the way to the Final Four and perhaps on the cusp of a national championship.

Hield has certainly had a decorated career at Oklahoma and could go down as one of the best NCAA players of all time. He has been exciting to watch since his first game as a Sooner. Hield has morphed himself into a dynamic two-way player with the composure to take over big games in front of NBA scouts and his idol Kobe Bryant. The talent has always been there for him as well as the NBA future, but his drive and commitment to excellence has propelled him to stardom and into the top 10 as a future NBA lottery selection. 

Playoffs 2015

NBA First Round Expectations

Western Conference

(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans

This should be a good series for Golden State as they embark on their journey as the top seed in the West. The Warriors are led by MVP candidate Steph Curry and Klay Thompson as they lead a potent offense. However, the arrival of Steve Kerr has helped invigorate their defense. Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut echo Kerr’s sentiments defensively and bring toughness to a perimeter-oriented bunch. Together the Warriors won 67 games and never lost more than four games each month. Anthony Davis and the Pelicans sealed their playoff fate when they staved off a late rally against the Spurs Wednesday night. New Orleans helped keep their hopes alive even when things were looking grim without Davis. They will look to upset the Warriors especially after they felt they were disrespected during their last match up with them. Davis should have favorable matchups because he is too fast for Bogut and David Lee as well as too big for Green. New Orleans might have a brief postseason, but Davis will leave his mark.

(2) Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks

These are two teams that hate each other starting at the very top with Darryl Morey and Mark Cuban. It all started when Dwight Howard spurned the Mavericks when he chose the Rockets over them. Then, Cuban was able to finalize a deal that the Rockets could not match for Chandler Parsons. Finally, Jason Terry was once a Maverick. I know I am reaching there, but that just adds to the rivalry and makes this series must see television. There are matchups worth watching all over as well with Monta Ellis versus Harden, Trevor Ariza versus Parsons, and Howard versus Tyson Chandler. Houston will have to figure out how to stop Dirk Nowitzki and limit Rajon Rondo's drive and kicks. This series could very well come down to "Hack a Dwight", which could make these games unbearable to watch. The Rockets are talented, but they rely too much on Harden. I like the Mavs experience and depth to prevail here in this series.

(3) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (6) San Antonio Spurs

At one point, I had the Spurs and Clippers set to face off in the Western Conference Finals. It’s amazing how unpredictable the West can be. This matchup spells bad news for the Los Angeles Clippers because the Spurs are peaking at the right time. Chris Paul will probably be matched up against Kawhi Leonard or Danny Green since the Clippers lack an elite wing threat. Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan are vastly improved since their last playoff series against San Antonio. They will have to dominate their matchups and get help from JJ Redick as well as the bench. The Big 3 for the Spurs should be well rested and is up to the task and their bench will be ready. Los Angeles winning this series is not as farfetched as it seems, but the experience and depth of the Spurs should overcome the Clippers talent.

(4) Portland TrailBlazers vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies

This series could have so much potential if every other player was not injured or hurt. The TrailBlazers lost Wesley Matthews and have to wait and see how long Nicolas Batum and CJ McCollum could be out. LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard already carry a ton of their team's weight, yet they should be up to the task. On the other hand, the Grizzlies are without Tony Allen and Mike Conley. Marc Gasol is nursing an ankle injury, but he should be fine. Both teams have contrasting styles, as the Blazers are more uptempo while the Grizzlies want to slow it down. Portland has the big men to compete with Zach Randolph and Gasol. The first key to this series will be perimeter shooting. Portland will shoot it well as for Memphis they struggle from outside. The final key to this series could be who gets healthier the fastest. The team that gets key players back from injury could prove dividends in the end. I like Portland to win this series because they are balanced.   

Eastern Conference 

(1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (8) Brooklyn Nets

For a little over a decade, Atlanta has always been a city riddled with good teams not living up to postseason expectations. As a result, the people of Atlanta always remain skeptical whether its the Falcons, Braves, or Hawks. The Hawks won 60 games and went from the Eastern conference's cellar playoff teams to a penthouse Finals contender. After a hot start and securing the top seed, they have been on cruise control for the last two weeks. The Brooklyn Nets have the star power necessary to give them a tough seven game series, but are simply too capricious. In addition, the Nets lost all four games to the Hawks by an average of 17. It will be interesting to see if the Hawks come out playing loose or uptight with the pressure growing from their rejuvenated fan base. The Hawks should come out with a ton of energy and look to cement themselves as a true contender. I think Atlanta's playoff demons will not be resurrected at least not in this series.

(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (7) Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics were 19-35 at the All-Star break after they were left for dead following the trade sending Rajon Rondo to the Mavs. Jared Sullinger suffered what appeared to be a season ending injury. Almost everyone thought they were headed towards pulling the plug, but Brad Stevens and Danny Ainge had other plans. They made a trade for Isaiah Thomas, which at the time was nothing more than a blip on the massive trade day deadline radar. Stevens was able to instill that same Butler Bulldogs toughness in his players and galvanize this bunch, which landed them a playoff birth against the vaunted Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs had problems at one point too as they were 20-20 and had chemistry issues. Although the chemistry is not where it needs to be, Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love lead a team that is the Eastern Conference favorites. This should be nothing more than a brief initiation for the Celtics as the Cavaliers are overwhelmingly better.

(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks

The Bulls and Bucks are one of two playoff matchups where divisional rivals square off. This rivalry has not been one worth mentioning sense the 90's, but it should be the first of many big games in the years to come between these two. Ironically, both of these teams have some traits worth comparing. They have elite defenses that force their opponents to take bad shots and turn the ball over at an alarming rate. Second, they are willing to close the paint and foul players to discourage attacking the basket. Finally, both offenses can be stagnant at times because of players expending so much energy on defense. The Bulls and Bucks love to slow games down so the first team to 90 will more than likely win each game. The matchup to watch is Jimmy Butler versus Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Derrick Rose is the x-factor. This should be a chippy series, as the Bulls will prevail. This series would be a lot more intriguing with a healthy Jabari Parker and the presence of Larry Sanders.

(4) Toronto Raptors vs. (5) Washington Wizards

This is the only series in the East that I had to wrestle with because both teams are evenly matched and equally mercurial. The Raptors and Wizards both have been trending downwards since the All-Star Break. Randy Whitman and Dwane Casey could be coaching for their jobs, as they are both solid coaches. John Wall and Bradley Beal will have their work cut out for them against Kyle Lowry and DeMar Derozan. This should be fun as both teams love to push the pace every chance they get. The battle down low will be key on offense and defense for both teams. On paper, Washington has the advantage with Marcin Gortat, Nene, Kris Humphries, and Kevin Seraphin. If they play up to their abilities, the Wizards should win the series. On the other hand, Toronto has a better bench, which evens out the playing field. The first team to win on the road has the advantage. Otherwise, the Raptors should win in seven.

FF4

Final Four Journeys

March Madness is coming to an end with Final Four action looming in the days to come. Three of the four teams were expected to be in Indianapolis while one has become America's Team. Duke, Wisconsin, and Kentucky were pegged to be championship contenders since the beginning of the season with the gaudy talent each team boasted. On the other hand, Michigan State was not even considered an afterthought to make the Final Four at the start of the season. The Spartans were on the fringe of being an NIT bound team at one point. Although these teams had different roads to get to the Final Four, they each have one common denominator and that is elite coaching. 

Duke

Coach Mike Krzyewski continued his resurgence at Duke as he recruited three possible “one and dones” in Tyus Jones, Jahlil Okafor, and Justice Winslow. They started the season well as they overwhelmed out of conference teams with their talent and experience from guys like Quinn Cook, Amile Jefferson, Matt Jones, and Rasheed Sulaimon. All of a sudden, Duke hit rock bottom when they lost to a pesky Miami team at home 90-74. In addition, Sulaimon was suspended from Duke with sexual assault allegations against him. That suspension, in my opinion, proved to be the difference in the Blue Devils run. They began to band together and play for one another as well as play loosely. Some of the aforementioned players received more responsibilities and freshman Grayson Allen earned more minutes off the bench. Chemistry was never the issue with this team it was all about Coach K keeping his guys level headed. If they win the championship, it will be because of their shooting ability, uptempo offense, and the play of Okafor, Winslow, and Jones.

Wisconsin

With the John Wooden Award limelight beaming heavily on Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin managed to breeze their way into the Final Four. Kaminsky's size was too much for smaller defenders and too agile for big men with cinder blocks as shoes. Sam Dekker has made himself a lot of money with his meteor-like performances recently while Nigel Hayes and Josh Gasser make their contributions. The only adversity this team faced was when Traevon Jackson missed 19 games with an injury, but Bronson Koenig was consistent during his absence. The Badgers lost games, but there was never a reason to overreact. This team resembles Ryan as they are a gritty group of players and never get rattled when the pressure increases. The advantage they have in any of their games is the chemistry and experience with one another. These are not boys these are men playing alongside one another. The versatility of their players and the ability to spread teams out will be a nightmare for the other teams. Pick your poison is an understatement regarding this group.

Kentucky

When Kentucky returned over 60 percent of their scoring and added Karl Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Trey Lyles, and Tyler Ulis they were immediately dubbed as the favorites to win it all. The Wildcats have everything a coach could dream of size, speed, athleticism, a presence in the post, and suffocating defense. Nolan Richardson would agree that playing Kentucky is "40 Minutes of Hell." They started off the season hot as they rolled through powerhouse programs like UCLA, North Carolina, Kansas, Texas, and Louisville. They even rolled through a national team in Puerto Rico back in August! They have certainly made it look easy, but Coach John Calipari would tell you otherwise. He is constantly letting reporters know that it is hard to get so many young players to come together and stay focused. At times, Kentucky's toughest opponent has been themselves. I still think this team is too much for the remaining teams, but I worry about them in clutch situations. Towns wants to own the moment, but everyone else is questionable. If Towns fouls out of a game, this team can be beat.

Michigan State

Tom Izzo called his team "A Team of Destiny" after their Elite Eight victory over Louisville and it is hard to argue that notion. This team has managed to get hot at the right time and reminds me of last year's Connecticut team. Travis Trice certainly reminds me of Shabazz Napier with his competitive spirit and big shot capability. However, this team is far more talented than those Huskies. Denzel Valentine is finally morphing into a top tier player on both sides of the ball and Branden Dawson has a knack for making the right plays. Just two months ago this team was almost poised to be in the NIT as they lacked confidence and traditional Sparty defense. Izzo found a way to push the right buttons and get his team on track as they finished the season off strong and lost in the Big Ten Championship to the aforementioned Badgers. This team has the toughest road to winning it all because they have to make the games ugly to win. Overall, their lack of talent makes it hard for them to win games, but Izzo will give them a chance.

PG Rankings 4

Starting Point Guards Countdown (12-7)

12.Deron Williams

Deron Williams had more talent surrounding him last season in Brooklyn with the arrival of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. However, Williams continued to struggle with injuries and had his worst season since he entered the NBA. He seemed to struggle with finding rhythm as he was in and out of the lineup. The biggest thing to me was his complete lack of confidence in his offensive game. Williams did not attack the basket or shoot with the efficiency that once made him a top five point guard. In addition, his assists per game dropped to 6.1, but this was a result of him not having the ball in his hands as much. In Utah, Williams would complain about not being able to freestyle and do his own thing on offense. In Brooklyn, he was given the chance to do those things and now he seeks a consistent system. With a new head coach in Lionel Hollins and the departures of Shaun Livingston and Paul Pierce, Williams’s points and assists should take considerable leaps. When Williams is healthy, he is a top 10 point guard and makes Brooklyn an Eastern Conference threat.

11.Kyle Lowry

The growth of Kyle Lowry helped the Toronto Raptors reach the playoffs for the first time since Chris Bosh left. He averaged 17.9 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds that almost landed him on the list of All-Stars. Lowry was once looked at as nothing more than a solid backup early in his career. Early in his career, he lacked a consistent jump shot, but always played tough, hard-nosed defense despite his stature. Over the years, Lowry has managed to develop a respectable offensive repertoire, which consists of many different floaters, a streaky jumper, and the ability to finish in the lane. Lowry is underrated when it comes to running an offense, finding open teammates, and rebounding. In fact, he has often been compared to Chris Paul because of his feel on how to run a team. With the return of Derrick Rose, many have written the Raptors off as a contender in the East. Being from Philadelphia, Lowry will make sure the Raptors fight every night.

10.Goran Dragic

 10.Goran Dragic
Having Goran Dragic in this spot may come as a surprise, but he quietly put together one of the better seasons for a point guard. It was definitely the year of the dragon as Dragic almost willed the Phoenix Suns into the postseason as he captured the Most Improved Player award. It was incumbent upon him to assume more of a scoring role as the Suns ran a two-guard system that included Eric Bledsoe. While Dragic's assists dipped to just under six a game, he averaged 20.3 points per game. In addition, Dragic scored at an efficient rate from beyond the arc at 40 percent while shooting 50 percent from the field overall. The Suns seem to believe in Dragic more than Bledsoe and rightfully so because Bledsoe missed a huge chunk of the season. The Slovenian point guard plays a lot like a younger Steve Nash who was his mentor. He is at his best when he attacks the basket because he has the uncanny ability to finish in the lane. Dragic is a wizard with finding his teammates as well. Heading into a contract year, I expect Dragic stellar season to spill over into this upcoming season.

9.Derrick Rose

I may be very generous having Derrick Rose still sitting in the top 10, but the guy is a former MVP. When Rose is healthy, he is easily a top five player because of his desire to be great. Sometimes that desire to be great can be his biggest downfall. Rose has a bad tendency to press when the Bulls need a basket and it makes me wonder how much he trusts his teammates. On the other hand, he could be dealing with insurmountable pressure no one besides Lebron James could understand. That pressure is being a hometown kid trying to win a championship for his city. Another reason Rose is still in the top 10 is because the previous players on this list are up-and-comers, past their prime, or system-oriented. Rose would be an elite athlete in just about every setting. He has a wicked first step, unreal speed, a pretty floater, freaky athleticism, oh and he has a consistent jumper. Rose has to learn to trust his team more and pick his spots to attack defenses more carefully. If he finds his groove, Chicago is an instant title contender.

8.John Wall

In Washington, Bradley Beal is the lightning and John Wall is the thunder. Wall propelled himself into the second tier of elite point guards as he made the All-Star team. He averaged career highs in points and assists with 19.3 and 8.8. I love the jump in assists because that let's me know he is a willing passer and knows when to hit his teammates. I think Wall has a tendency to be a bit erratic at times and it showed in the playoffs as he committed ill-advised turnovers and took bad shots. There is no way a player of Wall's caliber, including his cat-like speed and athleticism, should be settling for jumpers. Since his arrival from Kentucky, I have seen little improvement in a shot that needs fine-tuning. However, Beal compliments Wall's game because what he lacks Beal compensates for. The valuable experience Wall gathered in the playoffs and the rejection from Team USA should be the fire burning within him this season. 

7.Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving had a big year regarding individual achievements. He was an All-Star game MVP, FIBA World Cup MVP, and a gold medallist. Irving might have given spectators a taste of what's to come this upcoming season as he played the role of "Captain America" during Sunday's gold medal rout. Irving played the way I expected as he took his fair share of shots on offense. The surprise came on the defensive end as he played inspired D throughout the tournament, as did majority of the key contributors on Team USA. It will be interesting to see if he can maintain that intensity or bring it when it counts the most without Coach K there. Irving has a tremendous handle as he can put defenders on skates. Also, he possesses a scorer's mentality and with the arrival of King James he will likely be relieved of playmaking duties. The only problems I have with Irving are his ability to find the open man, his leadership, and his health.
 

PG Rankings 3

Starting Point Guards Countdown (18-13)

18.Brandon Jennings 

Brandon Jennings is a shooting guard stuck in a point guard's body. He would much rather attack the basket and shoot jumpers than set his teammates up and run set plays. This has been the underlying problem for Jennings in his young career as he seems to be content with being a turnover machine as well as a volume scorer. He did boost his assists up to a career high 7.6 per game, but he has to reduce his turnovers. Hopefully, Stan Van Gundy can help him continue to develop as a point guard with three big men capable of finishing inside. The additions of DJ Augustin and Jodie Meeks should help his assists total increase and spread the floor. Jennings brings scrappiness on defense as he likes to strip defenders attempting crossovers. On offense, he provides speed and good one on one skills. Jennings will probably never lead the league in assists, but he can learn to make smarter passes. His shooting ability is like night and day, but on a Detroit team with no real go to scorer Jennings can be that guy. If Jennings can take better shots and commit fewer turnovers, he can help Detroit return to the playoffs. 
    

17.Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker was able to produce career highs in rebounds and assists in his third year in the NBA as he and Al Jefferson led Charlotte to the playoffs. He seems to have full control of this team and is showing the same confidence he displayed at Connecticut. Walker plays like the New Yorker he is as he can score, rebound, pass the ball, and play tough defense. He never backs down from a challenge and this characteristic rubs off on his teammates as they imitate his confidence. Walker used to dance as a child growing up, which explains his scintillating crossovers. He is second to no one in that regard. Walker seems to have almost reached his ceiling because at 6'1 scoring 17.7 points per game is as good as it gets at his size. His 6.1 assists might not jump any higher as well because the signing of Lance Stephenson could spell less ball handling duties for Walker. Nevertheless, Walker and Stephenson should form a top three backcourt in the NBA and make Charlotte a conference contender in the East.

16.Jrue Holiday

After missing over 40 games after being traded to New Orleans, Jrue Holiday is probably itching to get back on the court and prove he was worth trading for. Holiday plays with a laid back demeanor and a silky smooth approach. As a result, he never seems to be rattled. At 6'4, he can occasionally go inside and finish amongst post defenders and his jumper continues to improve as he gets further into his career. Good offensive talent on the Pelicans surrounds Holiday, which includes Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans, and Ryan Anderson. His 7.9 assists should definitely take a hike provided that he gets out in the open court more often. Also, more pick and rolls with Davis, the newly acquired Omer Asik, and pick and pops with Anderson should help. Holiday seems to be stuck in point guard purgatory as he is in between All-Star and elite caliber status. A healthy season should help truly identify how good Holiday is.

15.Jeff Teague

Jeff Teague almost seemed to will the Atlanta Hawks past the Indiana Pacers in the playoffs, but the experience of Indiana showed as the series wore on. Teague showed his worth to the Hawks fan base as he averaged a career high 16.7 points in the absence of Al Horford. Teague seems to be really smart with the ball, as he does not force shots; he knows how to draw fouls and looks comfortable in transition. He has sneaky athleticism as he can rise over defenders and dunk on them. Teague has to improve his jumper and get a better feel for finding his open teammates. The lack of television time for the Hawks makes it hard for fans to know how good he is, but the playoffs helped him gain exposure. In a bad Eastern Conference, Teague could end up being an All-Star. Of course, the Hawks would need a winning record. The Hawks are a team that is under the radar in the East, but if Teague, Horford, and Millsap can play at All-Star levels they can upset a team in the playoffs.  

14.Mike Conley

Mike Conley had a slow start to his career after dealing with injuries coming out of Ohio State. Also, being a top 10 pick in his draft class certainly did not help his case. After averaging a career high 17.2 points along with his 6 assists, Conley has managed to jump into the tier of elite-esque point guards. Many viewed him as an All-Star a year ago, but he might be a victim of playing in a system with two of the best big men in Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Conley always seems to play well against some of the best point guards as he takes pride in his defense. In fact, Conley is considered one of the best on ball defenders at point guard. On offense, he can finish with either hand with his signature floaters, shoots the ball well, and runs the Grizzlies offense with efficiency. Conley is certainly the glue that holds Memphis together for 40 minutes, but late in games he seems to fade away and let others take big shots. Tony Allen should not have the ball in his hands late in the game. Gasol and Randolph is what makes the Grizzlies tough, but Conley has to step up and ease their duties late in games.  

13.Ty Lawson

It was a disaster in Denver following a magical 53-win season, but Ty Lawson was the lone bright spot for a team that sorely underachieved. Lawson seemed to be the only player comfortable under new head coach Brian Shaw and it showed in his play on the court. He averaged career bests in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, and minutes. However, his team lacked a consistent Robin to his Batman heroics. The Nuggets were without JaVale McGee, Nate Robinson, and Danilo Gallinari. The rest of the players seemed to be lost. It seemed like coach Shaw did not know how to use his players or did not assign them proper roles. This hurt Lawson, as he was another player on the list of All-Star snubs. Lawson excels in the open court, he can finish in traffic despite his size, and he has a reliable jumper. Overall, I must say I never expected him to develop into the player that he is because of his stature. Early in his career I viewed him as a solid backup. Lawson has certainly put himself in a position to receive a large contract as a viable first or second option. If he continues to improve, Lawson can derail one of the next guards on this list and be a part of the second tier of point guards.