The small forward is easily the most versatile player in basketball. Small forwards can have the agility and athleticism of a guard or the power and touch of a big man. They are so fun to watch because of their ability to beat the opposing defenders in many ways. Small forwards can torch a defense from behind the arc or use a pump fake to blow by a defender and throw down a ferocious dunk.
5. Julius Erving (Virginia Squires, New York Mets, Philadelphia 76ers)
Who can deny the talent and highlight reels of Dr. J? He lacked a great shooting touch and was inconsistent from behind the arc, but Erving excelled close to the basket. His athleticism and ball-handling allowed him to get to the rim at will and make acrobatic dunks and lay-ups. Dr. J was truly a treat to watch play.
4. Dominique Wilkins (Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic)
Wilkins is another high-flying acrobatic small forward. Nicknamed "The Human Highlight Film", Wilkins is well known for his ability to drive to the hoop and throw down violent dunks. An inconsistent jump-shooter, Wilkins got the majority of his points close to the rim. I enjoyed watching him throw it down over defenders or throw down creative dunks in the slam dunk contest.
3. Alex English (Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks)
English's game epitomizes the word smooth. A player with a great jump-shot and sweet moves with the ball, English used his shooting skill to torch teams nightly. A one time NBA scoring champion, English had all the tools to be a great small forward. He may not have been the athlete that Dominique Wilkins was, but English could still use his deceptive athleticism to make acrobatic shots and high release jump-shots.
2. Elgin Baylor (Minneapolis/ Los Angeles Lakers)
Baylor was truly a player ahead of his time. An acrobat and highly skilled player, he helped to define what the small forward position is today. Baylor had the grace and shooting touch to score off the jump-shot, and the hard working attitude to grind it out in the paint. Watching Baylor's highlight tapes make you think he could have really been a star in today's League with his arsenal of moves.
1. Larry Bird (Boston Celtics)
An Indiana boy born and raised, Larry Bird was one of my childhood heros. Even though his career had ended when I was old enough to watch and remember basketball, I loved watching highlights of Larry Bird from back in the day. I enjoyed watching him make up for his athleticism with his high basketball IQ , exceptional passing, and smooth ways on the court. Who can forget his clutch performances and plays that made him the legend he is today?
The shooting guard spot is my 2nd favorite position in basketball, with power forward being first. The shooting guard spot allows for a lot of freedom and a lot of potential to make big plays. 2 guards (as I like to call them) have the ability to move off the ball or also have the ball in their hands on many possessions. They can make plays themselves or make playmakers look good with their ability to knock down shots or finish at the rim. It is a shooting guard's versatility that can make him so dangerous and productive.
A true finisher and athlete off the dribble or off the pass, Drexler is also one of my favorite dunkers. He excelled in the open court with the ball in his hands, and backed down from no one. Not just a dunker, Drexler improved as a shooter as his NBA career went on. He knew how to score the ball and dominate a game using his pure athleticism and skill with the ball.
4. George Gervin (Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls)
Gervin is a tremendously underrated and undervalued player in the history of basketball if you ask me. Nicknamed the Iceman for his calm and laid back mood, he played a few seasons in the ABA before the Spurs joined the NBA in 1976. If you watch Gervin you will notice a graceful scorer and deceptive athlete with the penchant to score at any time. A 3 time scoring champion, Gervin (only 6'7) could shoot the hook shot with the skill of a player like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, or throw down a thunderous dunk similar to Julius Erving.
3. Pete Maravich (Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans/Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics)
What more can be said about Maravich than that he was ahead of his time? He had the ball in his hands at many times (like a PG), but the way he approached the game was like a 2 guard. As game reels would tell you, Maravich could score at will. He was an unbelievable ball handler, passer, and shooter. Watching highlight reels of Maravich makes me think he was one of the must influential players in basketball history. His jaw-dropping passes and ball fakes made opposing players look lost and unworthy on the court.
2. Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards)
The nemesis of my favorite shooting guard of all time, but certainly a player I loved watching. I wept when Jordan and the Bulls knocked the Pacers out of the playoffs in 1998. Even though Jordan halted my Pacers in '98, I always loved his style of play and athletic prowess. He was a tremendously skilled player off the dribble or off the catch and shoot. Simply put, Jordan could burn anyone in many ways. Even in his later years as a Washington Wizard, Jordan was a competitor through and through.
1. Reggie Miller (Indiana Pacers)
Not the greatest shooting guard of all time, but certainly one of the best shooters in NBA history. People knock Miller for being a "flopper" and a chronic complainer, but is established as one of the best clutch performers ever in both regular season and playoff games. A trash talker and scrappy player, I loved watching Reggie Miller play for my hometown Indiana Pacers as I grew up.
With T-Mobile being a huge sponsor of the NBA, we are always seeing players and commentators make a "Fave 5" list of favorite games, players, etc. I'll be releasing my Fave 5 for all 5 basketball positions, and also NBA coaches. (The lists reflect my favorite players, not who I think are the 5 best.
5. Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets)
Kidd has been a great PG since his rookie year, when he won 1995 co-Rookie of the Year. Kidd a flashy yet skilled passer is fun to watch drop dimes on the run. Also a tough defender, Kidd is never afraid to take the charge from any opponent. A fairly tall Point Guard at 6'4, I have always enjoyed watching Kidd lead his team to victory.
4. Steve Nash (Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns)
Another skilled passer, and gritty player, Nash encompasses all that is needed to have a successful Point Guard. Deceptively quick, Nash makes up for his athleticism with a high basketball IQ. His shooting and passing skills make him tough to guard because of his ability to use the pump fake. Nash is yet another great player to watch in the open court.
3. Mark Jackson (New York Knicks, LA Clippers, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets)
Jackson was the floor general for my favorite Pacers' teams through the mid to late nineties. A smooth, but flashy passer had tight handles and the ability to find teammates for dunks that looked impossible. Jackson provided plenty of highlight reels with every team he played for.
2. Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets)
Paul is definitely my favorite current NBA player. A deceptive athlete with tight handles, Paul has the ability to get to any spot on the court during a game. He is a treat to watch on the run with plenty of athletes around him. Paul should be an elite level Point Guard for many years to come in this League.
1. Earvin "Magic" Johnson (LA Lakers)
Johnson is the most versatile in NBA history if you ask me. He had the ability to play any position, but it was his size and skill that made him such a fun PG to watch. He was an extremely talented passer, and a great shooter. His highlights have been staples for NCAA and NBA advertisements for years.
Former Rockets Guard Vakeaton Wafer, who agreed to a 2 year $10 million contract with Greek team Olympiakos, made a smart move. He will join former Denver Nugget F Linas Kleiza (2 year $12 million) on the foreign team. They join former NBA player Josh Childress on the Greek team.
Both players were valuable reserves who were never going to see a starting role in the immediate future. This decision gives them both the opportunity to compete for a starting spot on one of the premiere European teams, in a highly competitive league. With the chance to work on their skills and potentially improve themselves for another run at the NBA, Wafer and Kleiza made the right choice. They'll both be raking in millions of Dollars each year,(Keep in mind that most players in Europe are paid money tax free) when the NBA could likely offer somewhere around $1-2 million per year. (Wafer made roughly $800,000 last year, while Kleiza made around $1.8 million.)
This decision will give Wafer and Kleiza monetary freedom they wouldn't have had in the United states. Let's be honest, no one feels sorry for two guys making that kind of money in the US, but I can't blame them for taking the big payday. With paychecks like this coming in, these guys will be set for life if they save it right. If I were Kleiza or Wafer I'd focus on three things while in Europe:
1. Improve their competitiveness, conditioning, and basketball skills.
2. Focus on winning a Euroleague Championship.
3. Get a good retirement investment broker.
(And I'd also keep a 4th thought in my mind for the future.)
4. Torch the Rockets or Nuggets when I do make it back to the NBA. Then they'll realize how valuable I am.
The Celtics recent additions over the past three days deepened and solidified their front court. Adding F/C Shelden Williams (to a 1 year deal) will bring in a solid athlete who can be counted on to rebound and clean up the post. Williams has struggled in his first 3 NBA seasons, but a fresh start on a championship contending team may add new life to his game. An impressive college player, Williams could excel in his new role of being a bench player contributing a few rebounds and easy buckets per game. With pressure off of him to perform like he did at Duke, the Celtics may have found a solid role-player.
The Celtics made another great free agency decision, as the resigning of Glen Davis was a must in my opinion. Davis really got a chance to showcase himself in the NBA playoffs as Kevin Garnett was out with injury. (He averaged nearly 16 points and 6 boards during the 2009 Playoffs). With Davis back on board, he should emerge as one of the top reserves in the League. I would not go as far as to call him a budding star, but Davis has shown that he belongs in the NBA.
Adding these two players to a front court bench of Kendrick Perkins and Brian Scalabrine, solidifies the depth and quality of the Celtics. Scalabrine (along with Williams) can be counted on to provide a few minutes a game, pulling down a few boards and getting easy baskets. Perkins will be a defensive and rebounding force off of the bench, giving quality minutes each game. Glen Davis can be counted on to out hustle opposing players and score in a variety of ways (an improving jump shot makes him quite intriguing.
Pairing these reserves with a solid starting duo of Garnett and Rasheed Wallace, should prove to be one of the best in the NBA. The Celtics appear to be taking steps forward from last year, always improving in their quest to win a second NBA Championship in three years.
NBA executives aren't perfect individuals, but us sports fans expect them to be. Sports fans have been known to hold grudges, and many fans will never forgive errant draft selections. The focus of this entry will be the 5 worst draft picks of the past 5 years. ( A slight editorial note I will operate from the '02 draft to the '06 draft. I don't think it is fair to judge guys who have only played one or two years. Three is surely fair game right?) My goal is to focus on how each pick affected the organization's growth and development, in the short and long term.
5. 2005: Atlanta- Marvin Williams
Who are Deron Williams and Chris Paul? Two guys the Hawks should have seriously considered picking in '05. With Tyronn Lue and Royal Ivey running the point, Atlanta was desperate for a playmaking, floor general. Williams has been a solid contributer, and a 3 year starter, but he is nowhere near the kind of talent that Chris Paul and Deron Williams are. The Hawks were impressed by his versatility and upside, but he has not produced like a No. 2 pick should in my opinion. In the short term Mike Bibby is a solid option for the Hawks, but with Bibby aging into his 30's the Hawks will wish they had a star PG for the future.
4. 2002: Golden State- Mike Dunleavy, Jr.
Dunleavy was the golden boy for the Duke Blue Devils during his 3 year career in Durham. He won a national title and was a First Team All-American at Duke. Hyped as the most versatile player in the NBA Draft, it's too bad he didn't have the same impact for the Golden State Warriors. Dunleavy provided some solid contributions for the Warriors, but never lived up to his hype or "potential" in his 4 years there. With Caron Butler being the next best Small Forward in the draft, the Warriors wish they could have this pick back. With a scorer and star like Butler on the team, Golden State could've expected a much more stable franchise.
3. 2006: Charlotte- Adam Morrison
Another player hyped up because of a fantastic final college season (Co-Player of the Year) and "versatile" basketball skills. Not to knock Morrison, but his play has severely diminished since his rookie season. Injuries have kept him from producing at a solid level since his 11.8 PPG rookie campaign. With the Bobcats passing on Brandon Roy, they passed on a perennial All-Star with elite scoring capabilities. The Bobcats' front office certainly has to wish that they could have this pick back, as Morrison is no longer with the team. Roy would be the centerpiece of a team that cannot seem to set anything in stone.
2. 2002: Denver- Nikoloz Tskitishvili
The classic case of an athletic big man with a good body and a good jump shot. The Nuggets bit on his versatility and "upside potential" when picking Tskitishvili. He hardly played for the Nuggets, and has produced no meaningful contributions for an NBA team. With the chance to pick up a much more sure thing in Nene or Chris Wilcox, the Nuggets truly messed up. (Thankfully for the Nuggets they ended up with Nene eventually.) If they had gone for the best available player, but taken a flyer on potential "maturity issues" in Amare Stoudamire, they would have hit a home run. He would have been an instant success in the Nuggets system, and he has already established himself as one of the League's most dominant big men. This is a classic case of taking a chance on something with the potential to be great and passing on something that already is.
1. 2003: Detroit- Darko Milicic
Yet another case of the Skilled, Athletic, and versatile Euro big man being overvalued. Darko was viewed as a player for the future on an already stacked team. The first thought is "Why did they not draft Carmello Anthony or Dwyane Wade?", but truth be told, they would not have fit the Pistons need system at that time. The Pistons needed a solid big man who could produce down low, not a perimeter scorer. Taking Chris Bosh, a perennial All-Star, would have solidified the Pistons' front court and added a great shot blocker and rebounder. They also could have opted to draft Anthony or Wade and used them as trade bait. Even though the Pistons went on to win an NBA Title the following year, Bosh would have further solidified an already solid team, and set them on a steady course for the future. By drinking the proverbial Kool-Aid, the Pistons have left themselves with a struggling franchise. This pick combined with the aging and departure of their core players, has left Detroit scattering to put together a solid team for the future.
To Sum It All Up
In short, many teams have bit on the bait of taking tall "skilled" and "versatile" players with "high upside", instead of going for consistent contributers. I wouldn't be surprised to see many of these trends continue in the future.
I should have paid more attention in High School English class. I sat here for about 5 minutes attempting to come up with a clever beginning to this, but I had no luck (hence the title) unfortunately. I've always been interested in sports, but I didn't think anyone cared. No one probably does even today, but I guess you'll have to bare with me if you're reading this. Readers of my blog can expect unbiased writing pertaining to sports. I'll focus mainly on basketball and football, but that doesn't mean I won't dabble into other sports too. On the other hand, I'll leave the Politics and Economics to my other fellow idiots. :-) (Well on to my introductory topic.)
A Bold Prediction
I'm a sucker for story lines. Who isn't? Whether David vs. Goliath, Ali vs. Fraizer, or Magic vs. Bird, I love to watch the drama build up and lead to a fantastic finish. I'm also a sucker for fairy tale endings. Which leads me to my prediction for the 2009 NBA Finals. (A little early?? No way!!!)
Boston vs. San Antonio
In a Finals series that will include both a great story line and a great ending, I envision the San Antonio Spurs playing the Boston Celtics. Both teams loaded up with key veteran players in the off season, and have All-Star caliber players returning from injury. If the cards line up right, we could see one of the most interesting series of all time.
Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett (each now 33 years old) are both nearing the last leg of their NBA careers. The two have combined for 5 NBA championships, 3 MVP awards and 23 All-Star appearances, but each have a desire to lead their team to one more NBA Championship. They each pack versatile, star-studded sidekicks and deep benches to help them compete.
A Celtics' lineup of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and Wallace, boasts 5 potential All-Stars. With 3 great 3 point shooters in their starting lineup, the Celtics will have plenty of options to score the ball. If their shots aren't falling, all 5 of these players can get to the rim to take higher percentage shots.
The Spurs can expect to see something to the effect of Parker, Mason, Jefferson, Duncan and Bonner. Their lineup could change, but Popovich likes to have capable scorers come off the bench.
Moving on, the other reason I see this matchup coming to fruition is the depth of each team. The Spurs' starting lineup is never set in stone, but whenever you can afford to bring a scorer like Ginobili off of the bench, you have a great chance to win games. Newly added Antonio McDyess will bring energy off the bench in the post. Veteran Michael Finley should revert to the bench with the addition of Richard Jefferson. George Hill is an incredible athlete and a serviceable shooter.
The Celtics' bench will be anchored by Kendrick Perkins, a hardworking postman who is a great rebounder. Eddie House, a great 3 point shooter can pack a scoring punch off the bench. Tony Allen will provide another capable scorer off the bench. Should the Celtics resign Glen "Big Baby" Davis they will have a more than formidably deep front court.
Great three-point shooting teams have a great chance of making an NBA finals run yearly. The Celtics have three players who are among the best three-point shooters at their respected positions. Ray Allan, Paul Pierce, and Rasheed Wallace have all shown the ability to shoot the three-point ball consistently, and shoot it consistently in clutch situations. Rajon Rando is showing improved touch on his shooting abilities, and Eddie House is known for his ability to consistently hit the three-point shot.
The Spurs in their own respect are no slouch when it comes to knocking down the deep ball either. Micheal Finley, George Hill, and Manu Ginoboili are all above average three-point shooters. Newly acquired Richard Jefferson has an improving stroke, and big man Matt Bonner has a odd knack for hitting jump shots from down town. Guard Roger Mason Jr. has quickly established himself as one of the Leagues best and most clutch three-point shooters.
The Final and possibly the most important reason I foresee this matchup occurring is the coaching of each team. Doc Rivers has shown the ability to make newly acquired players mesh well into his team first system. Rivers should have no trouble selling the team first mentality to Rasheed Wallace. He will also find an extremely useful and productive role for the versatile Wallace. Rivers, unlike other coaches has shown the ability to coach hyped teams to meet their high expectations.
Greg Popovich should have no one doubting his ability to coach teams to championships. With four championships in the last ten years Popovich is in a highly distinguished class with Lakers coach Phil Jackson (Jackson has also won four titles in the last decade). Popovich has demonstrated the skill the maximize player potential and motivate great scores and shooters to become high level defenders.
This entry doesn't concern why other teams wont make the NBA Finals, but rather why these teams will. There are certainly other incredibly talented teams in both the Eastern and Western conferences, but I expect these two teams to emerge. The two keys to the Spurs and Celtics meeting in June are staying healthy and staying focused solely on winning. If both of these teams do that, don't be surprised to see a thrilling seven game series take place in Boston and San Antonio.
