Unsung Heroes of the Playoffs (5/10/22)

As 2022 playoff basketball rages on, it’s difficult to keep tabs on all of the happenings. Without multiple games played every night, it’s easy to miss the little things if you can’t catch every contest.

Because of that, I want to stop and take a breather in the madness that is playoff hoops and shine some light on some unsung heroes of the big dance. While superstars get most of the credit for playoff success, it’s impossible to win when it matters without role players contributing consistently.

I’ve selected eight guys who have stood out to me so far. Let’s dig in.

Grant Williams

The Celtics might have the best defensive roster in the association, which is evident in the way they play. They slowed down Kevin Durant for an entire series, and in game two against Milwaukee they held Giannis to one of the worst halves of basketball he’s played in his NBA career. While Jayson Tatum and Al Horford get a lot of love for locking those guys down, Grant Williams has done a fantastic job guarding so far in the ‘offs, specifically on the Greek Freak. During game two Giannis shot 4-10 when Williams was the nearest defender. He uses his immovable frame to prevent the two-time MVP from getting anything easy at his usual spots.

He’s been an offensive contributor too, knocking down 45% of his 40 deep-range attempts across eight games. Seeing him become such an important piece for a contending roster is impressive considering Celtics fans wanted him out of the league last season.

Bruce Brown

From the play-in to the four games versus Boston, Bruce Brown had an incredible postseason run. He was easily Brooklyn’s third-best player, doing anything and everything he could to try to will the struggling Nets to a W. He posted averages of 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists while connecting on 42.9% of his treys and acting as arguably Brooklyn’s top defender.

Bruce is entering unrestricted free agency this summer, and he will receive some sizable offers. His do-it-all game makes him a flawless fit next to superstars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and Brooklyn should make it a priority to resign him.

Grayson Allen

When the Bucks acquired Grayson Allen from Memphis in exchange for Sam Merrill and a couple second-round picks, it was a steal. Now it’s progressed to full-on highway robbery.

Grayson played some solid ball in the regular season, providing reliable shooting off Giannis drive-and-kicks. He netted 45.8% of his triples created by a Giannis pass, an elite percentage.

That marksmanship has carried over into the postseason, where Grayson is now up to 47.4% from beyond the arc (58.3% in the series vs Chicago). However, what I’ve been most impressed with during the playoffs from him is the effort. He’s playing harder on D, he’s been active on the glass, and he’s taking it to the rack more often. His regular season 2P% of 53.3% has ballooned to 62.5%.

Grayson’s more multidimensional performance has made him a valuable piece for the reigning champs even when his shots aren’t falling.

Gabe Vincent

All-Bench-Mob Second Teamer Gabe Vincent has stepped up his play when it matters for the Miami Heat. His shooting is down, but what’s made him a vital member of Miami’s rotation is his pesky defense.

Moonlighting as a starter during Kyle Lowry’s absence, Gabe was able to fill the irritant role Lowry left vacant.

It’s been a lot of fun watching Gabe (as well as Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado, Gary Payton II, and other Bench Mob ballers) play big minutes in the postseason and play well.

Jaden McDaniels

In a series featuring two teams overflowing with young talent, Jaden McDaniels displayed what Minnesota fans have seen all year on a national stage. He’s a super versatile defender who uses a combination of lateral quickness, height, and Inspector Gadget arms to cover every position and reject shots. He swatted 1.8 attempts per game in the Memphis series.

A highly regarded prospect coming out of high school, McDaniels was seen more as an offensive player. While defense has been his calling card so far in the league, he put up a couple big scoring performances against the Grizz including a 24-point outing in the elimination game in which he was 5-6 from three and 8-9 overall from the field. He drained exactly half of his long-range tries across the whole series, showing off his smooth and consistent jumper.

McDaniels is a guy who I expect big things from in the 2022-23 season, especially if he can build off the flashes of driving and mid-range creation he’s shown in order to become a more balanced scorer.

Brandon Clarke

When Steven Adams got played off the court against Minnesota, Brandon Clarke slid into a bigger role and was incredible. The best way to describe his game is tenacious. He corralled 23 offensive boards in six games against the Wolves, attacking the glass every play. He snagged nine o-boards in game five, an insane total.

Beyond the rebounding, Clarke is a reliable pick-and-roll partner for Ja Morant and displays beautiful touch on floaters which is unusual for a big man.

Because Jaren Jackson Jr. spent lots of time sidelined with foul trouble and Steven Adams fell out of the rotation, the Grizzlies needed someone else to step up and Clarke delivered.

Larry Nance Jr.

Larry Nance Jr. joined the young and hungry Pelicans at the trade deadline, and after missing time due to injury he played in nine regular season contests before the playoffs.

In the postseason, Nance Jr. was a key contributor in pushing the one-seeded Suns to six ultra-competitive games.

Just like Clarke, he attacks the offensive glass every chance he gets.

He provides athletic finishing and mobility as a small-ball five when Valanciunas isn’t effective.

Nance was one of my preseason favorites for Sixth Man of the Year, and while that didn’t work out this year I could see him making a run at it in 2023 providing bounce and energy for a Pelicans roster poised to make a big jump as a group.

Dorian Finney-Smith

To say Dorian Finney-Smith has been fantastic in the playoffs would be an understatement. He has played some tremendous ball on both ends of the court.

He’s one of the better on-ball defenders the forward position has to offer, someone who can be relied on to make life tough for opposing stars like Devin Booker.

What’s made him especially valuable in the ‘offs is how well he has shot the ball. He’s absolutely shooting the skin off the pill. His 24-point, 8 3PM performance in game four was the second highest point total in a playoff game without making a two-point field goal. The only guy ahead of him is his teammate Maxi Kleber (who’s also been awesome)

Finney-Smith is a guy who I consider to be one of the more underrated role players in the association. He fits the 3&D archetype to a tee and would be a seamless fit on all 29 other teams (please Jon Horst find a way to get him).

So, those are eight role players who are showing out in the postseason while flying under the radar. Did I forget anyone? Who are some other players that have stood out to you? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and see you next time!

(P.S. huge shoutout to Wesley Matthews, his defense on DeRozan, LaVine, and Tatum has been sensational and I love watching it.)

Thaddeus Young- Toronto’s Key to Success (4/24/22)

Thaddeus Young has been in the NBA for a long time. Drafted in 2007, he has shared the court with many all-time greats. LeBron, Kobe, Shaq, Duncan, Wade, Durant, Dirk, Giannis, the list goes on. He’s had some solid seasons himself, as he averaged 14 points per game across seven years with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Now in his 15th season in the league, Young is still contributing to winning basketball. Since joining the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline, he’s been an important piece off their bench. He does a little bit of everything between the lines, from shooting to passing to guarding on the perimeter and in the paint.

Per Game Table
Age Tm Lg Pos G GS MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% 2P 2PA 2P% eFG% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
33TORNBAPF26018.32.65.5.4650.71.7.3951.93.9.495.5240.51.0.4811.52.94.41.71.20.40.81.76.3
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/23/2022.

That do-it-all play was in full force in Toronto’s game four victory over Philadelphia. In 29 minutes, he scored thirteen points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out five dimes, stole the ball three times, and rejected one shot. Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. may have gotten more buckets, but without Thaddeus Young Toronto’s season would have ended at the final buzzer.

Young won the NBA Hustle Award for the 2020-21 season, and sequences like this are why. He grabs one offensive board, and then tips a second miss into the basket while being surrounded by blue jerseys.

Guarding Joel Embiid one-on-one is a near impossible task, but Young did his best to slow him down. He made every bucket difficult for Embiid.

The most exciting facet of Young’s game is his passing. He has a knack for getting the ball through tight spaces, hitting cutters right in stride. His high-post dime-dropping often reminds me of All-Star big Domantas Sabonis.

This is simply an incredible pass.

He was feeding Chris Boucher for slams all game long.

This isn’t anything new- he displayed his fantastic delivery ability in San Antonio early in the year.

Young’s showed the ability to push the ball a little in transition and kick it to an open teammate.

And of course, you can’t talk about his game four performance without mentioning the ankle breaker.

It’s no coincidence that Young getting big minutes for the first time in the series resulted in a win for Toronto. Although he’s far from his best days in the league, Thaddeus Young still makes winning plays on both ends of the court that make him the key to Toronto’s success.

2021-22 NBA Award Show (4/18/22)

Another fantastic NBA regular season has come and gone, and it is once again time for NBA award selection. 

Picking my winners was tough this year. There wasn’t a clear winner for a single accolade, and there were a lot of guys I wanted to show love to. Just like last year, I will give three finalists and my winner. Let’s get into it!

Coach of the Year

Honorable Mentions- Taylor Jenkins, Tyronn Lue, Ime Udoka, J.B. Bickerstaff, Gregg Popovich

Finalist: Erik Spoelstra

The Miami Heat finished atop the Eastern Conference, and Spoelstra deserves a ton of credit for that especially considering Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry all missed significant time at some point in the year. 

Finalist: Monty Williams

The popular pick for this honor and the Coach’s Association’s winner, Monty Williams led the 2021championship runner-ups to the best record in the NBA. 

Finalist: Chris Finch

The Timberwolves had the highest increase in wins from last season to this season of any team. Coach Finch led a team that ranked first in the league in PPG and had a solid defense as well. 

2021-22 NBA Coach of the Year- Monty Williams

Sixth Man of the Year

Honorable Mentions- Tyus Jones, Kelly Oubre Jr., Luke Kennard

Finalist: Kevin Love

Kevin Love spent the last couple of seasons sidelined with injury or not giving full effort on the court. This year he rejuvenated himself, inspired by the talented youth around him. He provided valuable minutes off the bench for the overperforming Cavs with his shooting, rebounding, and charge-taking ability. 

Finalist: Cameron Johnson

When Johnson was picked in the lottery in 2019 many people questioned the selection, as he was 23 years old which is atypical for a rookie. That criticism is in the past now, as he just had a massive year. Johnson was consistent off the pine all year long for the league’s best team and deserves a ton of love in the 6MOY voting.

Finalist: Tyler Herro

Herro is the clear pick for this award. He was the leading scorer for the best team in the East. He did so while playing starters minutes, but he is eligible for 6MOY and he is the winner.

2021-22 NBA Sixth Man of the Year- Tyler Herro

Most Improved Player

Honorable Mentions- Darius Garland, Tyrese Maxey, Anfernee Simons, Miles Bridges, Tyrese Haliburton, Tyler Herro, Kyle Kuzma, Desmond Bane

Finalist: Jordan Poole

A season ago, Jordan Poole was in the G-League. Now he’s the second scoring option on a team with All-Stars Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson, and he kept the Warriors afloat when Steph missed time. The 2021-22 season was a Poole party and it was a blast.

Finalist: Dejounte Murray

There is a lot I could say here, but I’ll keep it short. What an incredible year for Dejounte Murray. He ascended to All-Star status, cemented himself as a top two-way guard in the game, led the league in steals, and became the only player in NBA history to average 20 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals in a season all while flying under the radar of casual fans. If that’s not MIP worthy, I don’t know what is.

Finalist: Ja Morant

Ja has been very good throughout his young career. He’s taken the Grizzlies to the play-in and the playoffs and dominated highlight reels. However this season he was incredible, becoming a top fifteen player and leading Memphis to the second seed in the competitive West. 

2021-22 Most Improved Player- Dejounte Murray

Defensive Player of the Year

Honorable Mentions- Bam Adebayo, Jaren Jackson Jr., Rudy Gobert

Finalist: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis is a DPOY finalist because he does it all. He can clamp on the perimeter. He’s the league’s best helpside defender. He has multiple game-saving blocks, and he guards the best player with the game on the line. 

Finalist: Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart is the heart of the league’s best defense. He gives 110% on that end and guards anybody he needs to. He should be a lock for All-Defensive first team, and he’s got a good shot at DPOY as well.

Finalist: Mikal Bridges

Availability is the best ability, and Bridges appeared in all 82 contests for Phoenix while playing the best defense of any wing in the association. He’s everywhere on D and uses his super long arms to disrupt offenses.

2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year- Giannis Antetokounmpo

Rookie of the Year

Honorable Mentions- Franz Wagner, Herb Jones, Jalen Green

Finalist: Evan Mobley

Mobley stood out to many from the first game of the season because of his elite defense. It’s not often that a rookie is in All-Defensive conversations. He’s a menacing paint presence who can switch on to guards (Anthony Davis-esque). Beyond that, he’s shown offensive flashes of self-creation in the paint and from the mid-range. Overall he was a big part of Cleveland’s overperformance. 

Finalist: Scottie Barnes

Scottie is the definition of versatile. Starting for a top-five seed in the East, he played a little bit of (and guarded) all five positions throughout the season. He’s smart and he hustles, and if he can build off the tastes of self-creation he’s given us he’ll be an All-Star in the near future.

Finalist: Cade Cunningham

The number one overall pick delivered. Cade was the engine of Detroit’s offense, exciting Pistons fans with his scoring, passing, and performance in the clutch. It’s not hard to tell why he was the clear top guy in the draft after watching him in his rookie season. 

2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year- Cade Cunningham

Most Valuable Player

Honorable Mentions- Luka Doncic, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum

Finalist: Joel Embiid

Say what you want about his foul baiting, but this was an incredible regular season for Joel Embiid. The first center to lead the league in scoring since Shaquille O’Neal, Embiid made it impossible to guard him with just one man. I personally don’t use the Ben Simmons fiasco as a reason for Embiid to win like others do, but he doesn’t need narratives. His play speaks for itself. 

Finalist: Nikola Jokic

Because Jokic is historically great when it comes to advanced stats, anti-stat people have decided to ignore just how good Jokic is. You don’t need stats to see it. Jokic is the Nuggets. He is incredibly efficient, arguably the best passing center ever, and he’s clutch. He also improved his defense this season. Doing all that while being a slow chubby seven-footer never fails to impress me, and he’ll be in contention for this award for the next decade.

Finalist: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis is the most dominant force in the association. On offense, he needs to be triple-teamed or he’ll get to the rim every time down the floor. On defense, he’ll clamp you up or come out of nowhere to swat your shot. He’s a top-three offensive and defensive player, and the best player in the world. 

2021-22 NBA Most Valuable Player- Giannis Antetokounmpo (if you have any of those three guys though I can’t argue with you.)

Bench Mob Player of the Year

Honorable Mentions- Jose Alvarado, Gary Payton II, Gabe Vincent

Finalist: Oshae Brissett

After playing well at the end of the 2020-21 season, it was surprising when Oshae Brissett was getting DNPs to start this year. That changed after the trade deadline when he flourished in a bigger role on his way to winning a league-leading seven Bench Mob Player of the Day honors. He wrapped up the season in a fantastic fashion, putting up a highly efficient 18 PPG in the month of April, and he’s a finalist for the Bench Mob Blog Bench Mob Player of the Year award.

Finalist: Stanley Johnson

Stanley Johnson didn’t start the season on an NBA roster. He earned his first opportunity on a hardship deal with the Bulls, but an injury prevented him from getting any playing time. A few weeks later he signed another ten-day, this time with the Lakers, and he instantly made an impact. In his first game in the City of Angels on Christmas day, he played excellent defense on James Harden and solidified himself as a rotation player. He brought grit, hustle, and energy all season while picking up six BM POTDs, and embodies a Bench Mob player. 

Finalist: Herb Jones

When Herb was drafted, I had never heard of him. Now, he’s one of my ten to fifteen favorite players. Why? Because he’s a second-round pick in his rookie season doing something at an all-league level. I’m sure you’ve heard this so many times by now but Herb is nothing short of sensational on defense. He’s made a winning impact for the Pelicans every game he’s played and won six BM POTDs because of it. Herbert Jones is the first-ever Bench Mob Player of the Year.

2021-22 NBA Bench Mob Player of the Year- Herb Jones

All-NBA Teams

I understand that the NBA is allowing Jokic and Embiid to be selected as a forward so they can both make the first team, but I don’t want to bend positions. If All-NBA teams are going to be positioned then I’m going to nominate players at their actual positions. 

All-NBA First Team

G- Luka Doncic

G- Devin Booker

F- Jayson Tatum

F- Giannis Antetokounmpo

C- Nikola Jokic 

All-NBA Second Team

G- Ja Morant

G- Trae Young

F- Kevin Durant

F- DeMar DeRozan

C- Joel Embiid

All-NBA Third Team

G- Stephen Curry

G- Chris Paul

F- LeBron James

F- Pascal Siakam

C- Karl-Anthony Towns

All-Defensive Teams

The same positioning philosophy applies here. I want to give a quick shoutout to Draymond Green- he’s one of the best defenders of the last decade, but there were so many deserving forwards and due to his 46 games played I had to leave him off in favor of guys who were more available. 

All-Defensive First Team

G- Marcus Smart

G- Dejounte Murray

F- Mikal Bridges

F- Giannis Antetokounmpo

C- Bam Adebayo

All-Defensive Second Team

G- Jrue Holiday

G- Derrick White

F- Herb Jones

F- Jaren Jackson Jr.

C- Rudy Gobert

All-Rookie Teams

What a crazy talented rookie class this is. Multiple guys on the second team would make first team in any other year, including Josh Giddey who would have made it had he been healthy to end the year. 

All-Rookie First Team

Cade Cunningham

Evan Mobley

Scottie Barnes

Franz Wagner

Herb Jones

All-Rookie Second Team

Jalen Green

Josh Giddey

Chris Duarte

Ayo Dosunmu

Bones Hyland

All-Bench-Mob Teams

There are so many Bench Mob guys who I’d love to mention here. 49 different players won 2+ BM POTD awards this season. These are the 15 guys I’ve picked to represent the Bench Mob this season.

All-Bench-Mob First Team

Herb Jones

Oshae Brissett

Stanley Johnson

Gary Payton II

Jose Alvarado

All-Bench-Mob Second Team

Gabe Vincent

Jaylen Nowell

Amir Coffey

Cody Martin

Duane Washington Jr.

All-Bench-Mob Third Team

Keita Bates-Diop

Jordan Nwora

Isaiah Roby

Omer Yurtseven

Jordan McLaughlin

So those are my official 2021-22 NBA awards! Let me know what you agree and disagree with, I’m always down for a hoops discussion on my Twitter account @thebenchmobblog. Thanks for reading, and see you next time!

Derrick White: Boston’s X Factor (4/13/22)

The Boston Celtics have been one of the best teams in the NBA since the trade deadline. They boast a record of 20-6 post-deadline, and a major factor in that success is their defense. Boston ended the regular season with a defensive rating of 106.2, ranking them at the top of the league. It’s easy to understand why when you look at their personnel. Marcus Smart is a DPOY candidate. Robert Williams III is an excellent anchor who has received some All-Defensive buzz. Al Horford is always solid. Jayson Tatum is playing the best defense of his career.

Beyond those top dogs, there is one player who is more important to the C’s than most people realize. That guy is Derrick White.

White, the 29th pick in the 2017 draft, became a fan favorite in San Antonio during his tenure there due to his elite defense. Acquired by Boston at the deadline, his All-League guarding ability has played a huge part in their post-deadline prosperity. 

Seriously, White is flat-out sensational on D. He does so many different things on that end that make him one of the top guard defenders in the association.

The standout attribute of White’s defense is his excellent lateral movement. He moves quickly and changes direction with ease, and he rarely gets beat.

Very few people can stay in front of Ja Morant when he gets downhill, but White does so here and forces the miss with a little help from Williams.

Here he does a great job. Cade tries to shake him with a few crossovers and a spin with no luck.

He puts the clamps on here, forcing Hield into a tough jumper.

This is just impeccable.

Even if an offensive player does get an advantage downhill on White, they’re driving on one of the top shot-blocking guards in the league. He often hits unsuspecting drivers with a chase-down rejection.

Here Thad Young sets a nice screen, but White recovers and erases VanVleet’s pull up.

White is just overall solid. Here, when matched up with the bigger Olynyk, he stays strong and strips the ball away.

This is textbook clamps, forcing a tough shot and getting a contest without even jumping, annoying the foul-seeking Middleton.

It’s impossible to talk about White’s defense without mentioning his trademark charge-taking. He ranked in the top five in charges taken per game and total charges taken for the 2021-22 season.

Derrick White is undoubtedly awesome on defense, but what makes him a true X factor is his offense. He’s a guy you can trust when he has the ball in his hands and can be the glue that holds the offense together.

He’s improved his point guard skills this season, and he can get the ball to the open man effectively. His 3.1 assist-to-turnover ratio places him inside the top 25 in the league.

He can make plays off the drive, whether it’s a kick-out:

Or a dump-off.

This is a nice read- he sees the help collapsing and throws a perfect lob to Theis.

As a scorer, White has struggled a little this season. He knocked down just 31% of his deep-range tries in 26 games with Boston (although he did hit 44% from the corner), but when he is hitting his shots it’s the cherry on top.

Derrick White has been one of the more underrated players over the last few seasons. While he doesn’t always jump out on the stat sheet, he makes so many winning plays. He can fit in any lineup and elevate it. Boston has their eyes on a championship this postseason, and White will be crucial in them achieving that goal.

I Become the GM of the Los Angeles Lakers (4/8/22)

The Lakers have been eliminated from playoff contention.

That’s freakin’ wild.

Whether you want to pin it on injuries, roster construction, coaching, or age, the fact that a team led by arguably the greatest player ever and two other superstars didn’t even make the play-in is crazy stuff. It’s even crazier that a team with that level of talent became unwatchable to many fans.

So, obviously, something needs to change. That’s why today we’re returning to NBA2K22 after a long break. I’m stepping in as the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers. My goal is to return them to their former glory and hoist the Larry O’B at the end of the year.

If you haven’t seen my other GM articles, feel free to check them out.

Let’s get going!

April 6th, 2022

As of today, the Lakers are 31-48 with three games remaining this season. This is where my tenure as the general manager begins. For these last three games, I’ll be resting my stars and tossing some minutes to my young guys because winning doesn’t matter at this point.

The Bucks won the ‘chip and Giannis won MVP. Let’s go.

July 3rd, 2022

The offseason begins. Let’s take a look at the roster.

I want to build a championship roster around the trio of LeBron, AD, and Westbrook. They are here to stay for next season unless Westbrook declines his player option.

Beyond them, almost everyone is a free agent. There are a few players I will look to bring back when we get to free agency.

First order of business is to fire Frank Vogel. I don’t think he’s a horrible coach or anything, but we need someone new. I offered contracts to Alvin Gentry, Lloyd Pierce, and Darvin Ham, but their respective teams unfortunately blocked me from bringing them in. As a result, I’m promoting assistant coach David Fizdale to fill the role.

Next up is the draft.

Trade #1: Pick Swap

Lakers get: 2022 38th overall pick

Timberwolves get: Two future second round picks

The Lakers didn’t have any picks, and I wanted one. I’m snagging an early second round pick from Minnesota, who had three seconds in the upcoming draft and had no need for all of them.

Draft Pick: Andrew Nembhard

With the 38th pick in the 2022 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select Andrew Nembhard from the University of Gonzaga. Nembard is a do-it-all guy who can play a few positions, and he should be able to play some minutes for me right away.

Now it’s free agency time. Westbrook unsurprisingly accepted his PO and he’s back. Kendrick Nunn declined, he’s gone.

I have a lot of spots to fill and zero money to fill them. I’m searching for mimimum-contract guys who can actually make an impact (not 80 year-old Trevor Ariza).

Resigning: Stanley Johnson

There was no way I was letting Bench Mob All-Star Stanley Johnson leave. His hustle and defense are fantastic and will be needed. I gave him a two-year, five million dollar deal.

Signing: Gary Harris

Although he’s fallen off since his Denver days, Harris still provides quality 3&D play and might be the starter if I can’t find a better option.

Signing: Serge Ibaka

Serge’s play with the Bucks this season has proven he still has something left in the tank as a defensive anchor off the bench. He’ll be my backup center or maybe even the starter if necessary.

Signing: Taurean Prince

Prince is a 3&D wing who has played good minutes for the Timberwolves this season. He’s the type of guy who I want on my team if I’m trying to contend.

Signing: Eric Bledsoe

I needed a backup point guard. Bledsoe can play defense, and off the bench I like what he can do for me.

Signing: Ben McLemore

McLemore has been a solid three-point threat for the Blazers and he should do the same for me in his return to the City of Angels.

The other players I brought in to fill out the roster are Davon Reed, Drew Eubanks, Wenyen Gabriel, and Devin Cannady. Unfortunately due to my lack of funds I was unable to retain Malik Monk. That really stinks. I was able to bring back Austin Reaves on a two-year deal.

Beginning of 2022-23 Regular Season

At the beginning of the regular season, my rotation looks like this:

Starters: Westbrook, Harris, Prince, LeBron, Davis

Bench: Horton-Tucker, McLemore, Ibaka, Bledsoe, Johnson

We’re ranked second in the power rankings, but I’m not so sure about that. I’m thinking I’ll need to find a way to acquire another 30+ minute per game guy at the deadline to make me feel confident about our championship chances.

December 1st, 2022

A little over a month into the season, we are 8-10 and 12th in the conference. Things aren’t looking good.

January 1st, 2023

We’re still below .500. Trades coming soon.

Febuary 6th, 2023

Trade: Kenny Hustle to LA

Lakers get: Kenrich Williams

Thunder get: Austin Reaves, two second round picks

Finding a trade was very hard. I have very few assets, and my one main asset Talen Horton-Tucker is making more money than he’s worth which means finding a fair deal was difficult. I had to make something happen, so I traded one of my few young assets to OKC to get a rock-solid role player in Williams.

Trade Deadline

Trade: Bledsoe Back to Phoenix

Lakers get: Aaron Holiday

Suns get: Eric Bledsoe

Bledsoe hasn’t been bad by any means, but he hasn’t been good either and I need to try something different. Holiday, who was rotting away on Phoenix’s bench, will hopefully provide a spark off the bench for me while the contending Suns get a proven veteran.

Post-deadline, here’s my new rotation:

Starters: Westbrook, Harris, Williams, LeBron, Davis

Bench: Horton-Tucker, McLemore, Holiday, Ibaka, Johnson

There weren’t many more deals I could make that wouldn’t be moving laterally. My rotation is solid, but nothing more. Guys will need to step up big to make something happen.

All-Star Break

At the break, we are 23-37, good for 13th in the West. Our defense is top ten in the league, but our offense is dead last. Scoring options in free agency are non-existent.

April 1st, 2023

We are 27-47, 14th in the West. I don’t see a world where we make the playoffs. Here’s the rotation I’m running for the rest of the year:

Starters: Holiday, Nembhard, Horton-Tucker, Gabriel, Davis

Bench: Williams, Johnson, McLemore, Reed, Eubanks, Cannady

End of 2022-23 Regular Season

The Los Angeles Lakers finished with a record 27-55, 14th in the West. Here are the stats from the guys:

R. Westbrook: 16 PPG/9 RPG/7 APG

G. Harris: 10/1/1 (he was really disappointing)

K. Williams: 8/5/3, 1.4 SPG (as a Laker)

L. James: 20/8/8

A. Davis: 19/10/4, 2 BPG

T. Horton-Tucker: 12/3/3 (he had a solid year)

B. McLemore: 8/2/1

T. Prince: 7/3/2

S. Ibaka: 7/4/1

S. Johnson: 3/2/1, best +/- on the team

A. Holiday: 9/1/2 (as a Laker)

D. Reed: 4/2/2, 45% from deep

W. Gabriel: 6/5/1

A. Nembhard: 6/2/5 (he really shined as a starter to end the year)

D. Cannady: 6/0/1

D. Eubanks: 3/4/1

What this season proved is how tough of a predicament the Lakers have put themselves in. They have no money, no assets, and no picks. I did my best and couldn’t make anything happen. Of course, this is just NBA2K so things could play out differently in the real world, but they will need to make big changes to turn things around.

So, did you enjoy my tenure as the GM of the Lakers? Let me know! I always have fun playing some MyNBA so if you like this type of article I will do more. Thanks for reading, and see you next time!

Grand Theft Alvarado: The League’s Most Entertaining Backup Guard (3/30/22)

You might recognize the name Jose Alvarado from this video:

If you haven’t seen that, there’s a chance you wouldn’t know who he is. I didn’t either prior to this season. I first learned the name Jose Alvarado during a game in November where his enthusiasm on the bench stood out to me.

At the time he was riding the pine, but he entered the rotation in early January and on January 20th he had his breakout game in his hometown at Madison Square Garden.

Since then, Jose has been a consistent contributor for the Pelicans, especially on defense. He’s a pest on that end with a knack for picking pockets. His 4.2 steal percentage is higher than guys like Matisse Thybulle, Dejounte Murray, and Herb Jones.

They call him Grand Theft Alvarado for a reason.

On offense, he pushes the pace and attacks the paint. He has a nice floater to finish over big guys, or he can take it all the way.

He’s also a good passer when driving- he makes solid reads in the pick-and-roll.

My favorite thing about Jose is the swagger and energy he plays with. Nobody else in the league is pulling off something like this in a game. Dude’s just out there having fun and it’s a blast watching him play.

Jose’s play off the bench has been very valuable for the Pelicans, especially throughout their post-break play-in push. That’s why he recently inked a four-year standard contract making him eligible to play in the upcoming playoffs.

I was very happy to see him sign that deal. He leaves it all on the floor every night, and he’s legitimately been one of the best backup point guards in the association this season.

Oshae Brissett: The Unseen Gem of Indiana’s Rebuild (3/26/22)

At the trade deadline, the Indiana Pacers finally hit the reset button. After years spent stuck in mediocracy (and being seemingly content with it), a roster overhaul was long overdue. 

Now, the team is filled with exciting young talent. Tyrese Haliburton, who Indiana received in return for Domantas Sabonis, is a fantastic core piece for the rebuild. Myles Turner, one of the league’s premier shot-blockers, is only 25. Chris Duarte is a rookie who scores like a long-time pro. Bench Mob All-Star Duane Washington Jr. is a three-point sniper. Former number ten pick Jalen Smith has shushed those who called him a bust after his lackluster rookie campaign. 6’5” two-way contract rookie Terry Taylor is a maniac on the glass. Isaiah Jackson is a talented young big. 

Out of that fun collection of young ballers, my favorite is third-year forward Oshae Brissett. After spending his rookie year in Toronto, Oshae’s tenure with Indiana began on two ten-day contracts last season. He showed out and earned a multi-year deal. 

The first couple of months of this season were inconsistent for Oshae. He didn’t always see the court (he played just six minutes per game across six contests in November), and when he did play his performance was just as up-and-down as his role. 

Lately, he’s turned things around. He’s started all 14 games since the All-Star break and has blossomed in the bigger role. He’s averaging 11.7 points and 6.6 rebounds on 53% TS after the hiatus, and with his 24 point, 9 rebound performance on March 30th he earned his league-leading sixth Bench Mob Player of the Day award (passing Herb Jones and Gabe Vincent). 

 Despite his quality play, there’s a chance you’ve never heard of Oshae. He’s an undrafted guy playing for a team the average fan doesn’t care about. So what does he do well, and why is he leading the league in BM POTDs? Oshae is an all-around role player who would fit seamlessly into any lineup. 

He can throw down highlight dunks but is also a strong finisher when driving. 

What a pass from Lance

He’s also a smart cutter.

He can hit the three-ball at a decent rate. He’s shooting 33% overall on the season, and he’s connected on 40% of his treys in Pacers victories. 

He’s a solid rebounder, corraling 5.1 (1.6 offensive) misses per game.

He can also get you some stocks, accumulating 2.3 total steals and blocks per 100 possessions. He swiped a career-high 5 steals against the Warriors in December.

Although he doesn’t excel in one area, Oshae is a complete player. He does a bit of everything, and every team in the association would love to have a guy like that on their roster. His under-the-radar well-rounded contributions are why Oshae Brissett is a Bench Mob superstar. 

Markelle Fultz is Back and Ballin’ (3/17/22)

When he was selected first overall in 2017, Markelle Fultz was supposed to be the savior of The Process. He was oozing with talent and upside.

Then came the injuries.

A rare condition called thoracic outlet syndrome destroyed Markelle’s shooting ability and held him to just 33 games in his first two seasons. He was traded to Orlando in 2019 and his future was uncertain. People were already labeling him as a bust.

The following season, Markelle played 72 games and was solid. He averaged 12 points and 5 assists on 46% from the field, and things were finally looking up until he tore his ACL eight games into the 2020-21 season.

Devastating injuries seemingly derailed Markelle’s career before it began.

That’s not the case.

Markelle made his season debut on February 28th and immediately made an impact. He’s played a total of 7 games this season and is averaging 9 points and 5 assists on 48% shooting in just 18 minutes per game (less than players like Dean Wade and Jordan Nwora!). It’s impossible to tell that two years ago his career was on the line when he does things like this:

He has looked at home in the mid-range, and that is a positive sign for his game. He’s hit 53.8% of his attempts from 10-16 feet while taking a quarter of his shots from that range.

Markelle mixes his mid-range shot creation with strong finishing. He’s shooting 80% on shots at the rim.

He’s also a smart passer who makes the right pass often.

Since his return, I’ve been impressed with Markelle’s lead-guard ability. Even if he won’t become the superstar he was envisioned to be, he’ll be a starting guard for a long time. It’s really cool to see a guy overcome significant injuries and come back better. Markelle Fultz is back and ballin’, and it’s been a lot of fun.

Lonnie Walker’s Ascension and What it Means for the Spurs (3/4/22)

The 2022 Rodeo Road Trip was a sensational one for Lonnie Walker IV. He scored 17+ points in six straight games, and his 30-point performance at home last night against Sacramento extended that streak to seven.

Lonnie has shown flashes of his scoring ability throughout his career. He’s pulled off absurdly acrobatic lay-ups like this one many times:

It’s shot-making that has held him back from reaching sparkplug status. He shoots 34% from three for his career, and has struggled to find consistency. That hasn’t been a problem lately though as he’s hitting 40% of his deep-range tries across his last seven outings as well as mid-range pull-ups like this one that make his scoring even more dynamic.

Lonnie’s production and confidence are skyrocketing, and he’s becoming the player fans thought he could be when he was drafted. That’s exactly what a young, rebuilding team like the Spurs wants.

There is a decision to be made this summer, as Lonnie is entering restricted free agency. At the beginning of the season, it seemed likely that San Antonio would let him leave. Now, with the way he’s been playing lately, that probably won’t be the case. I think they should definitely try to retain Lonnie.

How much is he worth? If he continues his increased production, there will be a team out there that offers him $15+ million per year. That’s reasonable considering the contracts other young players get nowadays.

However, I’m not convinced the Spurs should give him that money. I believe Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson are the long term starters at Lonnie’s positions. While Lonnie does seem like the sixth-man bucket-getter type of guy, $15+ million is a hefty price to pay for a bench piece (especially if he’s not a sure thing going forward). Giving him the big bucks could also make it harder to pay other key pieces down the line.

I want to him to be resigned. I would miss him if he left, he’s an exciting player to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUP3mRCQ0Ig

It’s been a blast to watch Lonnie Walker come into his own over the last couple weeks. He’s a really solid player when he’s playing with confidence and I’m rooting for him to keep it up. Go get your bag, Lonnie!

A Draft Casual’s 2022 Big Board (3/2/22)

If you’ve read my draft grade articles, you know that I am a self-proclaimed NBA draft casual. I rarely watch NCAA games until March Madness, and when it’s time for the draft I have only basic knowledge of the guys being selected.

I want that to change. While trying to watch a few games, I spent the last week or so doing research on 2022 draft prospects. I watched highlights, read scouting reports, and started checking out some additional info on Twitter. 

So, after all that research, I’ve put together a top thirty ranking of the best players in the upcoming NBA draft. 

It might suck. I have no idea. My goal is to continue to pay more attention to NCAA happenings and update this big board up until the draft. I will be releasing an updated version after the tournament. 

Alongside my rankings, you will find another score. For each player, I compiled an average ranking across four other sources: NBA Draft Room, NBADraft.net, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN. I wanted to compare my placements to those of some major outlets. 

Let’s get into the list!

#1- Jabari Smith Jr. 

Media Ranking- 1.25

Jabari Smith, the versatile power forward from Auburn, seems to be the popular choice to be the first overall pick this June. From what I’ve seen, I find that very hard to disagree with. The 6’10” phenom is one of the best shooters in the draft, killing defenses off the catch or the bounce with a high release point reminiscent of Kevin Durant’s. Beyond that, he has a solid handle for a player of his size, and he’s a finisher at the bucket. If I were the GM picking first overall this summer, Jabari Smith would be my guy. 

#2- Chet Holmgren

Media Ranking- 2.25

Chet is a player I’ve been aware of since his high school days due to his immense talent. The seven-footer impresses me the most with his incredibly efficient paint play and his spectacular shot-blocking ability, but he has also displayed ball-handling and shooting that have scouts drooling at the mouth thinking about how good he can become. I wouldn’t blame anybody who thinks he is the top guy in this class. 

#3- Paolo Banchero

Media Ranking- 3.75

Paolo Banchero is the third guy in this class who has a shot at going number one. He’s an impressive scorer and should have an offensive impact right away in the league. He uses his 6’10” height and strength to be an excellent finisher at the rim, and he uses quality footwork to create space for his knockdown mid-range jumper. He’s very skilled for a player of his size. Banchero will likely become a top option very early in his NBA career. 

#4- Jaden Ivey

Media Ranking- 3.25

Ivey is an explosive downhill athlete, a quick and crafty finisher, and a transition tyrant at the point guard position. His playstyle has drawn many comparisons to Ja Morant. While it’s impossible to say if Ivey will ever become the player Ja is, his ceiling is high. He’s shown some off-the-bounce creation from deep, and if that becomes a legit weapon in his arsenal Ivey will be a very scary player one day.

#5- Nikola Jovic

Media Ranking- 21.25

International prospect Nikola Jovic immediately stood out to me. He’s oozing with natural talent as a 6’10” guard. He’s a smart and accurate passer who can handle the ball, and he has some shot-making ability. As shown by the media ranking, I clearly feel very different about Jovic than the average scout. I think the upside for a player with a skillset like Jovic’s is too high for him to be selected any later than tenth, and I’d roll the dice on him in the top five.                                                                                   

#6- Adrian Griffin Jr.

Media Ranking- 6.25

Duke freshman AJ Griffin’s claim to fame is his knockdown three-ball. He’s hitting a sizzling 49% from deep on four attempts per game for the Blue Devils. Shooting like that will make him an impactful player from the get-go, but it’s his athleticism and handle that give him the upside to be a top ten pick. 

#7- TyTy Washington

Media Ranking- 12.5

TyTy Washington is a smooth operator. The Kentucky point guard is very shifty and can score from all three levels. I like his floater game, as that is a shot that can make a good scoring guard great. This class isn’t very deep at point guard, but Washington is talented and I consider him a top option at that position.

#8- Shaedon Sharpe

Media Ranking- 8.0

Shaedon Sharpe is a mystery box. He hasn’t and won’t play any college basketball, leaving his high school highlights the only indication of his talent. He’s very athletic and has scoring ability, and his ceiling is high. His floor is low too because he’ll likely come into the league very raw. It’s difficult to tell how good Sharpe is, but if he pans out he could be the core of a rebuild. 

#9- Bennedict Mathurin

Media Ranking- 9.5

Arizona freshman Bennedict Mathurin is built for the modern NBA with his natural scoring ability. He has an extremely fluid stroke from deep and he’s a good shooter when set or on the move. He needs to improve on defense, he’s inconsistent on that end, but he’s got the torch and that’s hard to pass up on.

#10- Johnny Davis

Media Ranking- 6.75

Johnny Davis is the go-to guy on the Big Ten champion Badgers. He’s averaging 20 PPG (which isn’t typical for an NCAA player) and getting it done at all three levels. He’s also a tough defender. Many teams may be looking at him as a future franchise guard, but I’m not sold on that at the moment. He’s more of a tough-shot maker than a space creator, and that isn’t guaranteed to translate to the league. I like Davis as a 3&D two-guard in the NBA, but he’s very capable of becoming more than that.

#11- Patrick Baldwin Jr.

Media Ranking- 25.0

PBJ was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, receiving offers from all the big schools. He chose to play for his dad at the much less regarded University of Milwaukee. That has hurt his draft stock, but I’m high on him. Like Jabari Smith, PBJ is a good three-point shooter with a beautiful high release. He gives me Michael Porter Jr. vibes, and MPJ is a good player. I think more people should be looking at Patrick Baldwin Jr. as a lottery talent. 

#12- Keegan Murray

Media Ranking- 8.5

Iowa freshman Keegan Murray is one of the nation’s leading scorers. He doesn’t create for himself, but he’s smart and efficient in the way he gets it done. He’s shooting 64% from two on eleven attempts per game, as he’s a very effective driver with good touch at the basket. He’s a solid shooter as well with smooth form. He lacks the ability to create for himself, and I think his ceiling is a high-end role player, but there’s nothing wrong with selecting a sure-fire contributor in the lottery. 

#13- Jaden Hardy

Media Ranking- 22.0

Like his G-League Ignite predecessor Jalen Green, Hardy is a talented player who needs to piece everything together. He struggles with efficiency and decision-making at times, but he’s shown many flashes of natural scoring and passing ability and I think his upside is high. 

#14- Kendall Brown

Media Ranking- 18.0

Brown is a very active and athletic forward who will fit in with any NBA roster. He’s versatile on defense, a smart cutter, and a good finisher. I think a player like him who could play anywhere has too much value to be picked outside of the lottery.

(Now that we are outside of the lottery, I will keep my explanations shorter. I still have limited knowledge on most of these guys, and the lower we go the less information I was able to find.)

#15- Tari Eason

Media Ranking- 23.0

Eason is a 3&D wing, but he also has a solid handle and mid-range game that suggest he can become more than that one day. 

#16- Walker Kessler

Media Ranking- 19.25

Rim protection is the most important part of an NBA defense and Kessler is averaging 4.7 blocks per game for Auburn. 

#17- Jean Montero

Media Ranking- 38.5

Montero is a foreign point guard who is pretty raw. He has pure playmaking talent and can shoot off the dribble, and could end up having a Darius Garland-esque developmental path (late bloomer). After all, point guard is the hardest position to adjust to in the NBA. 

#18- Jalen Duren

Media Ranking- 11.0

Duren is a monster in the paint on both ends, and he’s one of the best rebounders in the draft. His offensive skillset is limited to lob catching and dump-off finishing though, which doesn’t make me excited enough about his upside to take him in the lottery (especially if he doesn’t have good playmakers around him). 

#19- MarJon Beauchamp

Media Ranking- 18.75

Beauchamp doesn’t excel in one area, but he can do everything well. He can score at the rim and from the mid-range, he plays defense, and he’s unselfish. He should be a very solid role player the moment he touches an NBA court.

#20- Dyson Daniels

Media Ranking- 15.75

Daniels is a talented defender and is a good passer for a wing, but he’s very limited as a scorer and that will have to change. 

#21- Wendell Moore

Media Ranking- 22.75

Moore is a good shooter, a decent passer, and a high flier. He’s another do-it-all guy and has high upside if he can build off his shot-creation ability.

#22- Blake Wesley

Media Ranking- 20.0

Blake Wesley is a bucket. He moves well with the ball, finishes over bigger players, and can shoot the ball. 

#23- Ochai Agbaji

Media Ranking- 19.5

One of the most polished products in the draft, fourth-year Kansas wing Ochai Agbaji will provide immediate 3&D impact in the NBA.

#24- Johnny Juzang

Media Ranking- 62.0

I have no idea why the media thinks Juzang will go undrafted. Maybe this is me being a casual, but I think he’s a late first-round talent. He has shooting/scoring ability that most players in the draft can’t match. 

#25- Trevor Keels

Media Ranking- 25.7

Keels is a strong point guard who plays hard on defense and finishes through contact at the rim. He is also very comfortable in the pick&roll, one of the NBA’s most common actions. 

#26- E.J. Liddell

Media Ranking- 25.75

Ohio State power forward E.J. Liddell’s main strengths are finishing and defense. He’s also become a solid three-point shooter over his college career, which will make him more playable in the age of stretch fours. 

#27- Caleb Houstan

Media Ranking- 40.0

Houstan has a smooth jumper he uses to score at a high level. He was regarded as a first-round pick until early-season struggles changed that, but I think he’ll be a solid contributor in the league. 

#28- Michael Foster 

Media Ranking- 44.25

The fourth and final G-League Ignite prospect on my top thirty, Foster plays with energy on defense and on the glass. He has a fluid mid-range game and is developing a three-ball. 

#29- Jeremy Sochan

Media Ranking- 19.75

Sochan is a player I’ve seen get a lot of buzz on Twitter, mostly because he’s one of the best defenders in the draft. He isn’t much of a three-point shooter at this point, and his terrible free-throw shooting makes me nervous. 

#30- Tyson Etienne

Media Ranking- 79.0

Etienne is a better shooter than almost every player I did research on, and he displays NBA range in every game he plays. If a guy like Corey Kispert can be picked just outside the lottery I think Etienne is worthy of a late first-round selection. 

Other players I scouted for this and will continue to keep an eye on include Matthew Cleveland, Max Christie, Mark Williams, and Harrison Ingram.

So that’s a draft casual’s big board! How bad was it? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and see you next time!

(P.S. Sorry it’s been so long since I last put out an article- I was struggling to come up with a good idea. I will be more consistent.)

(Another P.S. If you know any good sources for NBA draft info- websites, blogs, Twitter accounts, anything; let me know!)