The NBA season is less than a week away and there is much to talk about. No awards are certain until the season is over but here are some things to keep an eye on.
Rookie of the Year: Bismack Biyombo- C- Charlotte Bobcats
Runner Up: Marshon Brooks- SG– New Jersey Nets
Bold Prediction: Jan Vesely- SF/PF– Washington Wizards
Hmmmm, I’m going to say this nicely, Bismack is a freak of nature. 6’9, 243, can run the floor, 7’6 wingspan and a raw talent. Bismack has a knack for defending and although he cannot shoot, he can still get the ball in the bucket. A center that can defend and run the floor is probably the most lethal guy in sports- behind a dual threat quarterback. The Congolese center has skill where it is hard to teach and it seems as if he is willing to learn. Michael Jordan has his hands full but is sold on this kid. Biyombo seemed to have been working on his offensive game in the offseason. Biyombo was the first player ever to record a triple-double in the Nike Hoops Summit. One thing this young talent does not lack is confidence, in a pre-draft interview Bismack said that one day he WILL lead the NBA in blocks and rebounds. Now that is a tall order to fill but you can’t blame the kid for being excited or wanted to be the best. However, there is a slim chance he won’t be able to play in the NBA his rookie season because he has one year left on his contract with his team in Spain. Biyombo is currently in negotiations with his team attempting to buyout his old contract. It will be a great disappointment if he doesn’t play this year because although he might not be locking down Dwight Howard or Andrew Bogut, he will still be competing every night and making a name for himself.
If Marshon Brooks can mirror what he did at Providence College offensively then the NBA better watch out.This kid does not know what a slump is, he is not afraid to shoot and he will get to the hoop at will. Brooks is lanky, quick, he can slash and he can score in any way imaginable. Brooks could very well be the Nets’ leading scorer but in order to get the respect from his coach and his teammates, he will need to defend and become more of an all around player. At Providence, Brooks always had the ball in his hands, that will not be the case in NJ and he will need to learn how to play without the ball.
As for Vesely, I believe this kid is the most explosive player out of the draft. I guarantee that we will see him in a dunk contest before his career is over. Vesely will be playing a little bit of both forward positions and his versatility helps him so much in the Wizards’ system. In recent years we’ve had the Nash and Dirk connection, the Marbury and Amare’ connection, the Kidd and Vinsanity tandem and last year we had the whomever is playing PG to Blake Griffin alley-oop fest. John Wall to Jan Vesely could top all of these. This kid is gifted both athletically and instinctively. Listed at 6’11 it is hard to imagine, but, Jan plays bigger than what he is. This Czechoslovakian moves like a 2 guard, flies like a Dr J., and brings the power of a Shaq. Vesely is not afraid to defend and the alley-oops he will be receiving from John Wall will be a nightly occurrence on Sportcenter’s Top 10.
Surprise Playoff Team: Utah Jazz
After last year’s untimely departure of both Deron Williams and Jerry Sloan, Tyrone Corbin seemed unprepared to coach the Utah Jazz. However, Corbin was the assistant under Sloan for a number of years and with this being his first full season as the Jazz coach I expect him to surprise a lot people and I think the Jazz make the playoffs. The Jazz do not have a star player so to speak but they have a fantastic makeup for their style of play. Lottery pick Enes Kanter seems to be the starting center. Rebounding experts Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors will cycle the big men positions. The young players for the Jazz need to really step it up big time. Last year’s number one draft pick Gordon Hayward had a rough transition from college to the pros. Look for Hayward to make a name for himself in this offense, he and Devin Harris will be a quality back court with a lot of flexibility because of the strength of the men down low. Utah has always been about defense and this year will be no different. Raja Bell is a two-time All-NBA defender and C.J Miles is a great defender at the three position. They are both expected to start for Tyrone Corbin’s squad. Rookie Alec Burks was drafted out of Colorado in the first round, he is a great defensive shooting guard who can score and get to the free-throw line; but he will need to develop a long-range shot in order to be successful. The Jazz aren’t going to outscore people but they will defend strongly and keep every game close. I see the Jazz making the playoffs as a six seed and possibly going up against last year’s NBA champions.
Coach of the Year: Larry Drew- Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have been somewhat of a disappointment in recent years because they have been expected to go deep into the playoffs. This year with the emergence of the super-teams (Bulls, Knicks, Heat) the Hawks will be under the radar. They should make a run and possibly make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Comeback Player of the Year: Ben Gordon- SG- Detroit Pistons
Runner-Up: Tracy McGrady– SG- Atlanta Hawks
Detroit is an ugly place for basketball right now. Rodney Stuckey has been a problem in that locker room, Ben Wallace is not exactly a leader and Rip Hamilton’s contract was just bought out. Now that Hamilton has gone to Chicago, look for ex-Bull, Ben Gordon, to become the leader of the team and go back to his old form of draining shots. I expect him to be the leading scorer of this team and to help out rookie point guard Brandon Knight.
It seems like every year T-Mac is a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year. In recent years McGrady has been plagued by injury and inconsistency but he should have a solid season this year pending health. Maybe new scenery is all he needs to bring his game back to life. T-Mac has never been a great shooter but he has been a good scorer throughout his career and for he has terrific handles and passing ability for a guard his size. McGrady will get his chances in Atlanta when Joe Johnson is on the bench and maybe finally, just finally he will win a playoff series.
On the Verge of Super-Stardom: Josh Smith- Utility– Atlanta Hawks
Runner Up: Eric Gordon- SG- New Orleans Hornets
Bold Prediction: Luis Scola- PF- Houston Rockets
Josh Smith’s potential has been blocked by Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford controlling the ball 90% of the time. Now that Jamal Crawford has made his exit look for Josh Smith to finally breakout. I feel he is the most underrated player in the league and that he could be a top five player. Smith is gifted in all aspects of the game, he was first recognized as the insanely athletic dunker who took the Slam Dunk contest title from Jason Richardson in 2005. Smith is among the leagues best highflyers and shot blockers, look for him to put up crazy numbers now that he will finally be touching the ball because Joe Johnson is starting to decline and the team will need another scorer.
Eric Gordon is the new face of a struggling franchise. He was the main component of Chris Paul trade and he has tremendous upside. Going into his ourth year he has improved his PPG, SPG, AST and 3PM each season. Last year he averaged 22 points per game and he played in the second half of the season recovering from a broken wrist but still put up ungodly numbers for the Los Angeles Clippers. Gordon can score from anywhere on the floor (even Jimmer range) and he can get to the basket at will. Last season Gordon averaged 6.2 free-throw attempts per game and made 5.1, which is among the top 20 in each category. Gordon is ready to take over a team and now he won’t be outshined by a number one overall draft pick. Look for Gordon to dominate this year and he should average around 26 PPG where he will be in elite company.
Most Valuable Player: Kobe Bryant- SG- Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe has the most rings out of active players in the NBA and people are always anti-Kobe. Analysts and fans say he can’t win on his own, he’s too old, or he doesn’t have the hunger anymore. Truth of the matter is- you can never count Kobe Bryant out. The Black Mamba has battled injuries in the past (thumb, pinky, knee) and no one has given him credit for playing through it or for playing at an all star level. Kobe recently had “miracle” knee surgery, also called PRP treatment. Although there is not much released information to the public about this type of surgery, Kobe has made it known that he will be back with a vengeance. Throughout this early training camp, Kobe has seemed to have gotten his hops back and thank the lord. The Lakers could be in for a long season and Kobe seems to be the only bright spot, I expect him to have multiple 40+ games this season.
NBA Champions: Miami Heat
They have a year under their belts, they’ve brought in a lock-down defender in Shane Battier. Haslem will be healthy and look for a healthy, slimmed down Dexter Pittman to get playing time. Rumor also has it the gun show could be going to South Beach… I mean… Gilbert Arenas. Simply there is too much talent on this team not to win. I will be disappointed if they don’t.
AlexFarnworth 