Is DeMar DeRozan Toronto’s best athlete since Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady?

Put a check beside ‘improved athleticism‘.

After a disastrous 2009, Toronto Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo wanted to upgrade the wing positions. So ’The Golden Boy’ in the executive suite signed free agent small forward Hedo Turkoglu and acquired shooting guard Antoine Wright in a trade with Dallas.

However, his best move might be drafting DeMar DeRozan. The lottery pick has impressed at training camp and, with respect to Jamario Moon, might be the Raptors’ best athlete since Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady called the Air Canada Centre home.

In Sunday’s exhibition game against the Washington Wizards, the former USC Trojan had two highlight reel dunks. Watch the clip and answer this question: is DeRozan Toronto’s most explosive player since ‘VC’ and ‘T-Mac’? 




Follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Ken K. Liu.

Can Anthony and Billups lead Denver past L.A. and San Antonio in the west?

Every day until the regular season begins, HoopsVibe the Blog will ask and answer an important question facing each of the NBA’s thirty teams. Weigh-in with thoughts on our Key Questions feature in the comment box below.

Today’s team: the Denver Nuggets.

Key Question: Can Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups help Denver compete with Boston, L.A., San Antonio, and Cleveland? 

The Answer: They’re good. Just not championship good.

A basketball renaissance occurred in Denver last year because the team swapped shot-first Allen Iverson for pass-first Billups. Fair or not, Iverson’s scoring and ball dominating ways confused; Billups’ passing and leadership clarified.

For instance, after Iverson, Anthony became the undisputed first option on offense. Best of all, the forward matured throughout the season -‘Melo, despite a low field goal percentage, started buying into the concept of team scoring.

Others prospered next to Billups, a former NBA Finals MVP and classic point guard. Kenyon Martin and Nene had strong years on both ends of the floor. The temperamental but talented J.R. Smith set a career high in scoring by averaging 15 points per game.

The bench was very much a positive. Linas Kleiza and Smith were the designated scorers; Chris Anderson, Renaldo Balkman, and Anthony Carter provided energy. Most nights, this unit gave Denver an edge through outworking opposing benches.

With many returning players, 2010 looks good. Three things must occur for the Nuggets to stay near the top of the Western Conference standings.

First, Billups has to continue bringing his ’A’ game. After some disappointing performances in Detroit, the muscular table-setter rediscovered ‘Mr. Big Shot’ in Denver and earned MVP consideration. Billups must maintain his steady, consistent play on both ends of the floor.

Second, Anthony and Smith have to progress. For Anthony, this means joining the NBA’s elite, which occurs if he improves his passing, rebounding, and defense. Smith, who will start the season serving a seven game suspension for reckless driving, has to become more professional to fulfill his potential.

Third, they better stay nasty. Anderson, Martin, and Nene need to be physical down-low, especially since none stand taller than 6-10. Newcomer Johan Petro adds depth to this platoon of blue-collar bigs, while Joey Graham and Arron Affalo will try to replace Dahntay Jones and Kleiza.

Prediction: 4th in the Western Conference. Denver, even if everything falls into place, hasn’t kept pace with Los Angeles, San Antonio or even Dallas. 
  
Sound off: Where will Denver finish in 2010? Will they make playoffs? Why? Why not? Get at Oly’s Key Questions feature in his HoopsVibe archive and follow him on Twitter. Photo courtesy of dherrera 96.  

Shannon Brown’s best poster-job dunk: Mikki Moore, Chris Anderson, or the Charlotte Bobcats?

It wasn’t Jordan Farmar’s CSI appearance, Ron Artest’s never-ending promotional tour, or Lamar Odom’s wedding that made headlines with the Los Angeles Lakers last Thursday.

Instead, amazingly, it was a basketball highlight.

Reserve guard Shannon Brown, who was a pleasant surprise in last year’s playoff, continues to make a case for regular minutes off the bench with a coast-to-coast, poster-job jam over Golden State’s Mikki Moore.

Of course, Brown’s aerial antics shouldn’t be a shock. The table-setter threw-down on Denver’s Chris Anderson in the 2009 Western Conference Finals and, back in the day with Cleveland, was known for exciting LeBron James with a facial or two.

What Brown dunk is your favorite? Watch the three clips and get at us with thoughts in the comment box. 



(Victim #1: Moore.)



(Victim #2: ’Birdman’ Anderson.)



(Victim #3: Charlotte’s frontcourt.)

Follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of zhanggian731.

Are Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks the new San Antonio Spurs?

Every day until the regular season begins, HoopsVibe the Blog will ask and answer an important question facing each of the NBA’s thirty teams. Weigh-in with thoughts on our Key Questions feature in the comment box below.

Today’s team: The Dallas Mavericks.

Key Question: Are the Dallas Mavericks the new San Antonio Spurs?

The Answer: Call it ‘The Texas Switcheroo’.

Typically, the San Antonio Spurs crept up on the NBA by quietly upgrading their roster during the off-season. They left the high-profile moves and controversial headlines to their Lone Star cousins, the Dallas Mavericks.

Not this summer.

The Spurs seized the golfing season spotlight by trading for versatile star Richard Jefferson and signing the dependable Antonio McDyess, while the Mavericks took a more understated route, building on their strong 2009 by re-upping with point guard Jason Kidd and adding Drew Gooden and Shawn Marion.

Now, in 2010, it’s Dallas, not San Antonio, who seem slept-on, overlooked and taken for granted. And with a potentially great starting unit and deep bench, Team Cuban could surprise come playoff time.

They should have an elite first-five. Eleven seasons into his Hall of Fame career, Dirk Nowitzki has shown little sign of slowing. The German will get his 25 points and 9 rebounds per night, but the Mavericks need him to lead and defend like he did during the latter part of last season.

Armed with a new three-year deal, Kidd will again handle the point-guard duties. No longer an elite table-setter, the veteran will serve as sideline boss Rick Carlisle’s on-court coach. In somewhat limited minutes, he’ll still post respectable assist and rebound numbers.

Kidd’s most important job will be to keep others happy, though. For instance, the temperamental Josh Howard needs consistent touches early in the game to re-establish himself as a star. Marion, also an emotional star, has to get his in the open court; Gooden excels when receiving regular service on the block.

Gooden, Howard, Kidd, Marion, and Nowitzki are all above average rebounders and defenders. So, as a group, they’re ideal for Carlisle’s get-stops system and, on both ends of the floor, match-up favourably against most starting units.

There is also great depth. Jason ‘The Jet’ Terry is a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate, while Erick Dampier and Tim Thomas provide insurance down-low. However, the energetic Jose Barea and tough James Singelton are worth watching. And several others are capable of filling a role in an emergency.

Not long ago, Dallas considering trading Nowitzki and starting over. Instead of following the conventional model of bottoming-out by trading assets for draft picks and cap space, they re-tooled on the fly around Nowitzki.

This was the right decision. The Mavericks are again relevant and dangerous. Only now, they’re sneaking up on opponents.

Prediction: 3rd in in the Western Conference, capable of challenging the league’s best. 

Sound off: Where will Dallas finish in 2010? Get at us in the comment box below; follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of webcoderguy.

LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal not enough for Cleveland to win NBA Title

Every day until the regular season begins, HoopsVibe the Blog will ask and answer an important question facing each of the NBA’s thirty teams. Weigh-in with thoughts on our Key Questions feature in the comment box below.

Today’s team: Cleveland Cavaliers.

Key Question: Can Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James win Cleveland an NBA Title?

The Answer: Yes, but they need help. 

For months, the city of Cleveland has been taken with O’Neal, their newest addition acquired in an off-season trade with the Phoenix Suns. Fans and media have followed the perennial All-Star’s every move like teenagers stalking the cast of Twilight. 

Their interest is justified. The five-man, even at 37 and rocking ‘XXL‘, can still battle elite posts like Dwight Howard, which gives James his best opportunity at an NBA Title. Raising a banner, in turn, gives the organization its best opportunity at re-signing the reigning MVP when he hits free agency in July. 

While James and O’Neal will form a dynamic duo, other dominoes, particularly on the perimeter, must fall into place for the Cavaliers to upstage the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, and San Antonio Spurs for the 2010 championship.

Point guard Mo Williams must rebound from a mixed year. The scoring table-setter was named to his first All-Star game because of strong play in the regular season, but vanished in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Magic. Greater consistency is needed.

The two-spot is also uncertain. Like Williams, Delonte West had a solid regular season before stumbling in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Magic’s larger perimeter players. Recently, the combo guard was arrested for gun possession and missed the start of training camp with mental health issues (hopefully, West is taking care of himself).

Realizing his backcourt was unsettled, GM Danny Ferry wisely signed Anthony Parker as a free agent. The former Euro league star and Toronto Raptor is steady, plays all perimeter positions well, and, at 6-6, possesses the size to defend the NBA’s biggest swings. Parker will see major minutes if Williams or West stumble.

The rest of the supporting cast is solid but hardly spectacular. Super-pest Anderson Varejao will start at the four-spot, while Daniel Gibson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Jamario Moon round out Coach Mike Brown’s rotation. 

Prediction: Championship contenders. ‘Big Threes’ and ‘Fantastic Fours’ have become the norm, so winning an NBA Title depends on the Cavaliers’ supporting pieces assisting the James-O’Neal duo. 

Sound off: Where will Cleveland finish in 2010? Get at us in the comment box below; follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Kyle Kutuchief.

Will Rose and Chicago build on their playoff run against Boston or fall off in 2010?

Every day until the regular season begins, HoopsVibe the Blog will ask and answer an important question facing each of the NBA’s thirty teams. Weigh-in with thoughts on our Key Questions feature in the comment box below.

Today’s team: Chicago Bulls.

Key Question: Will Chicago build on last year’s playoff against the Boston Celtics or fall-off in 2010?

The Quick Answer: For years, Ben Gordon polarized fans.

Some saw him as a dynamic scorer, capable of dropping big numbers and even bigger shots. Others felt his size was a liability -on offence, he could never be a legit first-option and, on defense, opponents would take to him to the block to create mismatches. 

Chicago management was also split on Gordon. At times, they tried to lock him up long-term by offering multi-year contracts worth big money. At other points, management seemed to be pushing the former ‘Sixth Man of the Year’ out the door.

The Gordon saga finally ended when, as a free agent, he signed a five-year, $55 million contract with the Detroit Pistons in July. Here’s the question: what happens next in Chicago?

A successful 2010 hinges on the youngsters learning from last year’s playoff duel with the Celtics. This process begins and ends with super-sophomore Derrick Rose continuing to be Chicago’s best player since you-know-who retired and then un-retired to join those Washington Wizards.

Rose has many tools: size, athleticism, the ability to score, and a feel for the game. He’ll grow with experience provided he avoids the trappings of stardom. Look for John Salmons, a player with potential, to inherit Gordon’s off-guard spot. If Salmons struggles, veterans Kirk Hinrich and Jannero Pargo can fill in.

The front-court is unsettled. Luol Deng has to return to health and, on this offensively challenged squad, score and create mismatches. Deng is focused on recovering, but long-term he’d be wise to extend his range and diversity his offensive repertoire.

It’s now or never for Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas. Noah, after a so-so regular season, averaged a double-double in the playoffs and this should be the norm. Thomas, a gifted athlete, has to tap into his immense potential if he wants an extension.

While Noah and Thomas usually perform on defense, the Bulls need one, or both, of their young posts to develop offensively and command attention from perimeter defenders. Steady Brad Miller will provide depth and can log more minutes if Noah or Thomas falter. 
 
Prediction: The defense will be good. However, a playoff spot in the much-improved Eastern Conference depends on Chicago getting regular scoring from two or three players not called Rose. 
 
Sound off: What’s up with Chicago in 2010? Get at us with thoughts in the comment box below. Follow Oly Sandor on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of hanneorla.

Will Tyson Chandler, Ray Felton, Gerald Wallace and Charlotte finally make the playoffs in 2010?

Every day until the regular season begins, HoopsVibe the Blog will ask and answer an important question facing each of the NBA’s thirty teams. Weigh-in with thoughts on our Key Questions feature in the comment box below.

Today’s team: Charlotte Bobcats.

Key Question: After last season’s relative success, has management done enough to help the Bobcats qualify for their first-ever post-season? 

The Quick Answer: No.

An uncommitted owner has killed the momentum Charlotte built after last season’s valiant, but unsuccessful push for a playoff spot.

Owner Bob Johnson, with his penny-pinching style, has never put the resources or time into developing a credible organization. Doing things on the cheap and absenteeism from the top have always been the norm.

This summer, his approach, driven by an intense desire to sell the Bobcats, had a particularly damaging impact on the organization.

Rewind to last spring. After a season of transition and mostly hard knocks, this young Charlotte squad rallied to challenge for the final playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. In the end, they failed. Yet, much was gained playing meaningful basketball.

For instance, Gerald Wallace emerged as a tough leader. Boris Diaw stopped resembling a French cream puff and started resembling the guy who once won the Most Improved Player award with Phoenix, while D.J. Augustin, Raja Bell, Ray Felton and Emeka Okafor took a step forward as a group. 

Some personnel tweaks, a season together, and more of Larry ‘Play the Right Way’ Brown’s teachings should have put the Bobcats squarely in the race for the 2010 playoffs.

Well, it was a nice thought.

The East got better. A lot better, in fact. The top squads -Boston, Cleveland, and Orlando- were involved in a summer arms race that put some significant distance between them and the rest of the Eastern Conference.

The middle-class also got ‘theirs‘. Atlanta, Toronto, and Washington had solid summers and, along with Miami, have eyes for the fourth seed. And Detroit seem poised to move forward after a sub par 2009. Expect Chicago and Philadelphia to be in the hunt for a post-season birth, too.

That’s ten teams fighting for the Eastern Conference’s eight playoff spots, which likely puts Charlotte on the golf course when the all-important ’second season’ begins in April. Here’s why:

On paper, the team improved by swapping the methodical Emeka Okafor for the athletic Tyson Chandler. However, Chandler’s health, he has missed 82 games over the last two years, and contract, his deal expires in July, are reason for concern.

The rest of the roster isn’t stable. Ray Felton will become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end after taking Charlotte’s one-year qualifying offer. More recently, Bell and Diaw have been linked to trade rumors.

These distractions aren’t good for any team, especially one as young as the Bobcats.

Prediction: 9th in the Eastern Conference.

Sound off: Where will Charlotte finish in 2010? Will they make playoffs? Why? Why not? Read Oly’s ’Key Questions’ feature in his HoopsVibe archive and follow him on Twitter. Photo courtesy of FLC. 

Can Garnett’s Celtics win the east and beat Bryant’s Lakers in the NBA Finals?

Every day until the regular season begins, HoopsVibe the Blog will ask and answer an important question facing each of the NBA’s thirty teams. Weigh-in with thoughts on our Key Questions feature in the comment box below.

Today’s team: Boston Celtics.

Key Question: If Kevin Garnett stays healthy, can the Boston Celtics win the Eastern Conference and beat Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals?

(Author’s note: with respect to the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs, the defending champion Lakers also had a strong off-season. For now, they have to be early favorites to win the Western Conference and repeat in 2010).

The Quick Answer: If Garnett makes a full recovery from last year’s knee troubles, then yes, the Celtics are very much in the running for the 2010 NBA Title.

Under coach Doc River, Boston is at their best playing air-tight defense and shutting down opposing offenses. The green-and-white’s ability to ‘get-stops’ gives them a chance to win every game and makes them a formidable foe on the road.

Clearly, ‘The Big Ticket’ is the straw that stirs the Celtics’ defensive drink. He anchors Rivers’ schemes, fosters a mentality of weakside help, and holds others accountable. Last year, when Garnett was out, Boston’s defense suffered and they lost their identity as a defensive power. The main priority in 2010 is keeping the former MVP off injured reserve and on-court.

Over the summer, the club upgraded their post spots in case Garnett can’t stay healthy. Glen Davis, fresh off inking his new contract, and young Kendrick Perkins will continue to progress, while former lottery Shelden Williams was brought in to add depth.

The big move was signing versatile Rasheed Wallace during free agency. With a strong skill-set and basketball I.Q., he could start and, for stretches of games, serve as the first option on offense. However, with Wallace’s unselfish attitude, he’d also be open to coming off-the-bench as a change-of-pace scorer.

The perimeter positions are certainly covered. Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo form one of the NBA’s best backcourts; Paul Pierce, a Hall of Fame three-man, leads with his tremendous scoring and great confidence.

Much will be expected of reserves Marquis Daniels and Eddie House. Daniels, a free agent pick-up, must use his athleticism to provide energy. House, a shooting guard in a point guard’s body, has to excel as Rondo’s primary back-up.

Prediction: 1st or 2nd in the Eastern Conference and challenging for a championship.

Sound off: where do you see the Celtics finishing in 2010? Let us know in the comment box below. Want more of this ’Key Questions’ feature? Then check out Oly’s HoopsVibe The Blog archive and follow him on Twitter. Photo courtesy of Bold Willie.

Can Joe Johnson and Atlanta Hawks challenge Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Orlando Magic?

Every day until the regular season begins, HoopsVibe the Blog will ask and answer an important question facing each of the NBA’s thirty teams. Weigh-in with thoughts on our ’Key Question’ feature in the comment box below.

Today’s team: Atlanta Hawks.

Key Question: Are the Joe Johnson led Atlanta Hawks able to compete with Eastern Conference powers like the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Orlando Magic? 

The Quick Answer: No.

In recent years, the Hawks have made progress. While ‘The ATL’ is no longer the NBA’s Siberia, they still lack the size and have too many question marks to beat the East’s top teams in a best-of-seven series.

Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams are on the verge of big things. This trio of forwards has skill, athleticism, chemistry, and, because they’re young, could dominate opposing frontcourts for years to come.

Problem is they’re all forwards.

One element is missing: size. Horford, a solid rebounded and scorer, is a ‘four-man’ playing out of position at the ’five-spot’. His effort and heart are commendable, but won’t win a playoff round against seven-footers like Boston’s Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace, Cleveland’s Shaquille O’Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Orlando’s Dwight Howard.

Atlanta, while much improved as an organization, still has issues. For instance, management hasn’t given Mike Woodson an extension and the longtime sideline boss is still expected to win games, despite being a lame duck coach in the last year of his contract. Woodson, a loyal employee, deserves better and should either be let go or rewarded with a new pact.

Then there’s Joe Johnson’s pending free agency next summer. Johnson is the Hawks’ franchise player; it’s no coincidence the team’s fortunes changed after they completed that controversial sign-and-trade for the superstar.

Management hasn’t extended him, either. And his status as an unrestricted free agent in 2010 could dog the team all year, with the uncertainty spilling over on-court. Bottom line: a new contract for Johnson should have been priority one this summer.

Prediction: 4th in the Eastern Conference. 

Sound off: Where do you see Atlanta finishing in 2010? Get at us in the comment box below and follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of FLC.