#NBA2015: Players to Watch Part Three

With the 2014-2015 NBA season beginning in fewer than 10 days, I found it just right to look at some players we should all keep tabs on. There are no-brainers like LeBron, KD, CP3, and James Harden, of course, but there are also many other characters on whom we should put the spotlight. In this first of five parts, we’ll take a look at some key guys for the Clippers, Lakers, Grizzlies, Heat, Bucks, and Timberwolves.

Two rookies who will struggle through their team's futility, two point guards who
are looking to make the jump, a forward who'll fall short of replacing the
best player in the world, and a center who can push his team to the top. 

DeAndre Jordan (LAC) - DJ had a breakout season in 2013-2014, averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, steals, blcoks, and field goal percentage while also helping the Clippers advance to the second round of the Playoffs. He averaged a double-double for the first time in his career (believe it or not) and, again, shot an eye-popping 68% from the floor! Who does that?! The 6’11 slotman is no longer just a highlight reel factory content on eating Brandon Knight alive for breakfast. As his numbers suggest, he protects the rim, finishes around the basket, and gets repossessions. One might argue he could be an All-Star this season if makes another jump in his game. If he can actually do that, then look for the Clips to make noise even beyond the second round.

The NBA: 2014 Free Agency Grades

With the essay announcement of LeBron James going home to Cleveland almost two weeks ago, the dominoes have fallen in the free agency signings. NBA teams scampered to woo, court and sign the remaining free agents. Here are the grades for the significant movements and acquisitions of the summer. Only those who changed teams are graded.

Paul Pierce and Pau Gasol are among the top players
 who changed allegiances during the off-season
(Image from: elitedaily.com)

1. LEBRON JAMES, MIKE MILLER, JAMES JONES - CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Grade: A+
Adding the best player in the league immediately makes the Cavs a contender while weakening the 4x Eastern champs, Miami Heat. LBJ is very influential within the Cavs' management that there are reports that James is pushing a potential trade of Andrew Wiggins with Anthony Bennett and/or Dion Waiters (maybe draft picks too) for Kevin Love. With or without this trade, the Cavs should be among the best in the East. Getting a solid shooter in Mike Miller will also help spread the floor for LBJ. To add more injury to insult, ex-Heat James Jones also bolted South Florida to join LBJ. Even Ray Allen is rumored to join the Cavs.

The NBA: December 2013 Position Battle – The Top 5 Small Forwards Right Now

This is our third Position Battle post of 2013-2014, and we will focus on the top five small forwards at this point in the season. This is maybe the most predictable of all the position battle posts, since the top four guys will pretty much be interchangeable for the remainder of this year.

Kevin Durant and Paul George are among the
league's best SFs.
(image from Getty Images/Bleacher Report)

Note: All of the following stats are based on each player’s stats as computed by HoopsStats.com. They were taken on December 12, 2013 (Manila time).

5. Luol Deng (CHI) - 19.4ppg, 7.1rpg, 4.2apg, 1.1spg, .458 FG%, 19.9 EFF

Deng is a trooper. Even with D-Rose out and trade rumors swirling, he will continue to lay everything out on the floor. He’s nursing an Achilles heel injury right now, but, again, don’t count on this guy to miss out on helping his team. He definitely doesn’t have the biggest influence in the Association, but he sure can play ball.

           

4. Paul George (IND) - 24.7ppg, 5.7rpg, 3.4apg, 2.1spg, 47.5 FG%, 2.8 triples per game, 86.3 FT%, 23.2 EFF

PG24’s underwhelming first half against Miami really dampened his stock, but he’s still definitely one of the most fun guys to watch. His barrage of jumpers in the second half really gave Indiana a big lift, and, man, he never looked this conifident. Ever. Gotta feeling his best is yet to come, Scary as hell.

The NBA Roundup: March 28, 2013

The streak is over! Thank you, Bulls! Oh, but give credit where it is due – the Heat were pretty impressive in winning 27 straight. Of course, the biased guy in me would also want to say the Bulls were even more impressive in putting a stop to that streak sans Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Aside from Miami’s loss igniting applause from all around the globe, however, other good things happened today, like two young guns dueling in Charlotte, Reggie Evans adding 20+ points to his 20+ rebounds, and, hey, is that the Roy Hibbert All-Star collector’s edition we see?

Day’s Best:

•       Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer paired up for 49 points to lead a herculean effort from the Chicago Bulls to interrupt Miami’s self-conscious date with history. The super play of the night, however, belonged to Jimmy Butler, who gave Chris Bosh his latest moment of humiliation with an over-the-back-alley-oop dunk. Pure awesome.
•        Kemba Walker may have enjoyed the W, but we cannot fault the effort of Orlando’s Tobias Harris. The former Tennessee Volunteer recorded 29 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks in a superhuman performance worthy of notice. Walker wasn’t too shabby, too. He led Charlotte with 34 points on 13-of-23 FG shooting to go along with 9 dimes, 7 boards, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Wow. These kids today.
•        Roy Hibbert, the 2012 All-Star anomaly, scored 28 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and blocked 3 shots to lead Indiana past the Rockets. Man, if only he can be this good every night, then I might stop ribbing him. MIGHT.

Luol Deng (R) and the Bulls were successful in
halting Miami's win streak.
(image by Nam Y. Huh/AP)

Day’s Worst:

•        So we can blame GSW’s loss to Sac-town squarely on Klay Thompson’s butt-awful FG shooting. The 6’7” Cal native finished with just 4 points, making only 1 of his 13 shots. Kids, don’t do this at home… or anywhere for that matter.
•        I’m BIG on James Harden. I mean, he’s the new superstar for sentimental favorites, the Houston Rockets, but, man, he was just too terrible against Indiana. The Beard connected on just 6 of his 24 shot attempts to go along with 3 turnovers.
•        I love the fact my former fave Fantasy NBA PG Jameer Nelson had 11 assists today, but I hate the fact he had 5 turnovers and missed 13 of his 19 field goals. Quo vadis, Orlando?