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.
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!
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!)
The All-Star break is approaching, and the All-Stars have been announced. I’m excited because my three favorite players were all selected (Giannis, DeMar DeRozan, and Dejounte Murray).
Last season, I named Bench Mob All-Star teams around this time. The teams were made up of snubs, such as DeRozan.
This season, I’m doing it differently. If you follow my Twitter, you’re aware of my Bench Mob Player of the Day awards. Every day, I highlight an unheralded player who had a big game. When I say unheralded, I don’t mean a guy like Jakob Poeltl or Jarred Vanderbilt who are commonly referred to as such. Bench Mob players are guys that some fans haven’t even heard of. They’re nothing more than role players, but they’re winning contributors every night for their teams. So this year, I’ve selected twelve of those players to make up my All-Star team. Without further ado, here are the 2021-22 Bench Mob All-Stars.
Herb Jones (Captain)
Herb Jones has won a league-leading 5 BM POTD awards, and that’s why he’s the captain of this team. Herb was drafted 35th overall to the Pelicans, and I had never heard of him. His immediate winning impact made me learn his name very quickly. I wrote this article on him early in the season to highlight his All-League level defense. Herb plays hard every night, and so far he’s the Bench Mob Player of the Year.
Gabe Vincent
Gabe Vincent spent his first two seasons in the league on a two-way deal with the Miami Heat. He played 50 games in the 2020-21 season but was an inefficient scorer and not much else. Now playing on a standard contract in his third year, Gabe has broken out into a legit backup point guard. He averages 9 PPG while shooting 39% from deep (5 attempts per game), and he’s become a willing distributor averaging 3 APG. Miami’s cream-of-the-crop player development has resulted in an extremely deep roster that includes 3 Bench Mob All-Stars. Five-time BM POTD Gabe Vincent is at the top of that group.
Gary Payton II
29-year-old Gary Payton II grinded to get his opportunity. After going undrafted in 2016, he had short stints with three teams prior to when he signed with the Warriors last season. A favorite in the organization, Gary has been extremely valuable off the bench for one of the league’s top teams. Just like his dad, he’s an excellent defender at the guard position and one of the best steals guys in the association. His 4.0 STL% would top the league if he had played 1,000 minutes this season. He’s been a BM POTY candidate all season and is undoubtedly a Bench Mob All-Star.
Cody Martin
Cody is a standout role player for this exciting young Hornets roster. He does lots of things well and can slide into any lineup. He’s a good defender, he shoots the three at a 41% clip, and he can pass a little (he averages almost 3 APG, but has dished out 5+ eight times this season). He won his first of four BM POTD’s by taking back-to-back clutch charges against James Harden. Cody is a player every team would love to have.
Keita Bates-Diop
Another success story for Coach Pop and San Antonio’s player development staff, 2018 second-round pick Keita Bates-Diop has blossomed into a solid rotational piece for the young Spurs. He’s a tough-nosed player who defends, hustles, and finishes at the rim. He played the game of his life the day before Christmas, dropping 30 points on a perfect 11-11 shooting in a win over the Lakers. I’ve enjoyed watching Keita play this season and that’s why he’s a Bench Mob All-Star.
Amir Coffey
Especially post-trade-deadline, the Clippers are one of the league’s deepest teams. Breakout third-year forward Amir Coffey is one of the players providing that depth. In his 20 starts this season, he’s put up 13 PPG (49% from the field, 43% from three) while posting enough assists, rebounds, and steals to make him a viable fantasy pickup. He’s on a two-way deal this season, but will definitely earn a full contract this offseason.
Omer Yurtseven
The second Heat player on this team, Yurtseven has impressed with his tenacious rebounding. He had a ridiculous 14 game streak of grabbing 10+ boards, one of the longest runs by a rookie ever. The 23-year-old Summer League standout has become a legit backup big for one of the toughest teams in the league.
Caleb Martin
What a season it’s been for the Martin twins. The two parted ways for the first time in their young NBA careers last offseason, and both of them developed into high-level role players. Although his offensive game is slightly more limited than his brother’s, Caleb has an equal defensive impact for one of the league’s best teams in that category. He’s won just one BM POTD, but he’s had the impact of a Bench Mob All-Star.
Stanley Johnson
As soon as he signed his first 10-day with them, it was obvious that Stanley is the type of player the Lakers needed. He plays with grit and energy (especially on defense) that makes him easy to root for. He’s not the missing piece that will bring another ‘chip to LA, but hopefully the juice he brings will become contagious.
Jaylen Nowell
Despite playing fewer minutes per game this season than he did last, Nowell has proven to Minnesota fans that he has a place in their future. He has obvious talent on the offensive side of the ball and will be a contributor on that end for a long time. Because he plays in a small market, he’s overlooked by the average fan, but he will show out once he gets the minutes he deserves.
Javonte Green
After beginning his career as a lower rotational piece in Boston, Javonte has found a home in Chicago. He’s started 28 games for a playoff contender because he guards the opponent’s best player every night and takes pride in doing so. He also throws down high-flying slams that should land him in the Dunk Contest soon.
Duane Washington Jr.
Rounding out my All-Star team is three-time BM POTD Duane Washington Jr. The undrafted rookie impressed me during Summer League with his scoring ability, and that’s translated to the league. In the month of January, he averaged 11 PPG on 40% from deep. He’s a three-point sniper, and he will always have a spot in the league because of it.
So, those are my 2021-22 Bench Mob All-Stars. If you hadn’t heard of any of those guys, you should watch them play sometime. Every single one of them is a legitimate rotational piece in the NBA. They are the unsung heroes of your favorite teams.
It actually happened. With all the talks surrounding a Harden to Philadelphia deal leading up to today, I’m not too surprised. Doesn’t make the trade less crazy though. This shakes up the league significantly. Here are my immediate thoughts on the blockbuster of the 2022 trade deadline.
Brooklyn Nets
Receive: Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, 2022 first-round pick (unprotected), 2027 first-round pick (protected)
While Harden is the best player in the deal, it’s tough to look at this return and not say Brooklyn is now the best team in the East.
Of course, people said the same thing after the big three originally formed. They were the championship favorite heading into the season. Then KD got hurt, Harden got unhappy, and Kyrie gave up on the team by not getting a shot.
This time, I think it’s different. Ben Simmons has become underappreciated as a player since his disappointing performance in the 2021 playoffs. He’s now the best third option in the NBA, and won’t need to score to help the Nets win. He’ll provide more than enough defense for a roster that desperately needs it, and he’s an elite facilitator who’ll take pressure off Kyrie and KD in the playoffs. On top of that, he’s probably the best player Brooklyn could have gotten in return for Harden.
Ben’s lack of shooting doesn’t even matter anymore, because Seth Curry is teaming up with Patty Mills and Joe Harris to form a lethal firing squad.
Andre Drummond is an underrated part of this trade. He’s proven this season that he can be very valuable as a backup big, and Brooklyn needed just that.
So while the Nets just gave up a top-ten player in the league, they’re just as scary after.
Philadelphia 76ers
Receive: James Harden, Paul Millsap
In no way is this trade a negative for Philly. Ben Simmons had to go, and they’re getting a true superstar in return.
The duo of Harden and MVP frontrunner Joel Embiid is ridiculously good on paper. However, many teams have looked good on paper (including the Nets prior to this season) and underperformed majorly.
My main concern is that James Harden isn’t willing to play off-ball. He wants to be the guy or he becomes uninterested. This is a problem because Joel Embiid has become arguably the best player in the league this season. Why? Because with Simmons’s absence, he was the guy with the ball in his hands.
I highly doubt Harden will show up to Philly and play second fiddle to Embiid, and in my humble opinion I don’t think it’s smart to do something that will take away from a player as good as Embiid is.
Other than that, Seth Curry is the ideal player to have next to Harden and Embiid, and losing him is tough. Tobias Harris should star as a third option, I think that’s a perfect role for him.
Overall I don’t see any losers in this trade. Simmons and Harden both needed to go, and both teams got back quality hauls. It’s too bad though because both will lose to the Bucks in the playoffs.
Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts? Who do you think is the best team in the East after this trade? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and see you next time!
The Blazers are a mess this season. Injuries have hit them like a freight train. Dame has missed 22 games and could be done for the year. His sidekick, C.J. McCollum, missed 18 contests. Up-and-coming young wing Nassir Little recently went down with a season-ending shoulder injury.
Injuries, as well as questionable roster construction, are the reason Portland is 10 games below .500. Their struggles are making a roster overhaul inevitable.
Amid the chaos, a star has blossomed. That guy is Anfernee Simons, and he is the savior of Portland’s sinking franchise.
If you haven’t paid any attention to the mediocre Blazers, you’ve probably missed the young guard’s rise. During Dame’s absence, Simons has stepped up in a huge way. Across 15 games in January, he scored 23 points per game and dished out 7 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field and 43% from three.
A player who puts up those numbers across a whole season is an All-Star. Ant is efficient and multi-dimensional. Let’s take dive into Portland’s new franchise player.
Scoring
The standout attribute of Simons’ game is obviously his ability to get buckets. He gets it done in multiple ways and does it extremely effectively.
Overall this season he’s hit right around 40% (39.6%, to be exact) of his deep-range shots while shooting 7 a game. In January, he hit the three-ball at a 43% clip on 10.5 attempts per game.
He’s also knocked down 45% of his mid-range tries and finished 55% of his shots at the rim. This efficiency is very impressive considering only 42% of his baskets are assisted (that number dropped to 36% in January). He’s a high-level shot creator, using his crafty handle to create space for his smooth jumper.
(Jusuf Nurkic deserves a lot of love- he’s one of the best screeners in the NBA and helps out Simons big-time)
He loves stopping and popping- if a defender loses him on a screen, he makes them pay.
Plus, as most small guards do, Ant’s got a nice floater game.
Playmaking
Since Ant is such a good scorer, he gets a lot of defensive attention. So when the defense keys in on him, he takes advantage of it and gets his teammates easy buckets.
His assist percentage was at 11.4% in the 2020-21 season, and it’s jumped to 21.1% this season. Ant’s growth as a floor general makes him a much more reliable offensive centerpiece.
Defense
The hole in Ant’s game is his defense. His defensive RAPTOR has been at the lower-end of the league since his rookie year. He’s at -2.4 this season, which is bottom 20 out of players with 700+ minutes played. However, as proven by top point guards such as Trae Young, you don’t need to be a lockdown (or even a plus) defender to be an elite player.
Over the last month, it’s become very clear that Anfernee Simons is that guy. He has all the tools needed to be an All-Star soon. He’s just 22 years old, and there’s no doubt in my mind that he can be the core piece of a Portland rebuild.
The man holding back a reconstruction is Damian Lillard. He wants to be a Blazer for life, and as long as a player like him is on your team you should always try to contend. Unfortunately, they can never get it done. Every successful regular season is followed by a disappointing post-season in Portland.
With that in mind, is it time to move on from Dame? If he is traded one day, Anfernee Simons will be there to take over the team. He’s a budding superstar.
The NBA recently introduced the new format for the Rising Stars game on All-Star weekend. This new format pits four teams of the league’s brightest young stars against each other in tournament style.
The player pool for those teams is made up of twelve rookies, twelve sophomores, and four prospects from the G-League Ignite squad.
So, today I will be giving you my picks for the Rising Stars game. Let’s get going!
(Note: I will not be naming my picks for the Ignite slots. I don’t know anything about those guys.)
Rookies
Evan Mobley
It’s not very often that a rookie comes into the league as an All-Defense player, but Mobley is on track to do it. He would be the sixth first-year player to do so. Alongside Jarrett Allen, Mobley anchors Cleveland’s top-five defense. He has also shown offensive skill, not just as a lob threat, but in creating for himself in the paint and the mid-range. He’s my pick for Rookie of the Year as of now, so he’s a lock to participate in the All-Star weekend festivities.
Cade Cunningham
The number one overall pick, Cade has lived up to the hype so far. He’s scoring an efficient 18 PPG and dishing out 6 APG over the last two months. He put up 34 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 blocks against the Nuggets, a monstrous stat line only matched by rookie Michael Jordan. MotorCade has given Detroit fans something to believe in, and that’s why he’s an obvious Rising Star.
Scottie Barnes
Another top Rookie of the Year candidate, Scottie Barnes has impressed many with his versatility throughout his rookie campaign. A point guard in a forward’s body, Scottie consistently creates shots for himself and others. He’s another no-brainer pick.
Franz Wagner
Originally projected as a high-end role player/glue guy, Franz has outperformed expectations. He’s showcased All-Star potential in games such as his 38-point explosion against the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks. He leads all rookies in total points and is second in points per game, and that’s why he’s a Rising Star
Josh Giddey
There’s a graphic floating around the internet from before the draft that lists Giddey’s basketball weaknesses. This listing includes ball-handling, outside shooting, shot creation, assertiveness, and on-ball defense. More simply put, the graphic said his weakness is basketball. That is far from true. The youngest player to ever record a triple-double, Giddey is a sensational passer/floor general. He’s won all available Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards so far, and there’s no doubt that he should play in the Rising Stars game.
Jalen Green
It’s no secret that Jalen Green has struggled to reach his lofty rookie expectations up to this point. There’s no reason to overreact though. He has both the talent and the it-factor needed to be a true star in the league one day, he’s just not there yet and that’s quite ok. Jalen will pick things up soon, and in the meantime, he’s still exciting enough to be named a Rising Star.
Herb Jones
“Not on Herb” has become a phrase often used by fans of Herb Jones, and that’s because he’s another rookie with a legitimate shot at making an All-Defense team. If he doesn’t make it this season, it won’t be long before he does. Herb’s a special defender as well as a quality shooter, and he will be a high-level contributor for years to come.
Chris Duarte
Duarte was the hottest rookie in the league during the first few weeks of the season, averaging 18 PPG while shooting 42% from the field and 39% from three. Although he’s cooled down since, he’s still been a consistent offensive contributor for Indiana. Another example of why you shouldn’t overlook prospects just because of their age, Duarte is a Rising Star despite being the oldest of his class.
Jalen Suggs
Suggs was considered by many to be a franchise-changer from the get-go, but the reality is he’s been far from that. Perhaps a victim of overhyping, Suggs came out of the gate as an inefficient scorer and a turnover-prone point guard. He’s cleaned things up lately, averaging 15 PPG on 48% shooting across his last seven games. Just like Jalen Green, there is no reason to give up on Suggs now.
Davion Mitchell
Although Off-Night’s defense hasn’t been as good as Evan Mobley’s or Herb Jones’s, he’s still forcing off-nights. Davion hasn’t been the most NBA-ready prospect like I thought he would, but I still think he’s one of the twelve best rookies so far and that’s why he’s on my list (plus, I want him to be involved in an event I’ll mention later).
Ayo Dosunmu
It’s honestly catastrophic Ayo fell so low in the draft. There’s no reason why a player who was so good in college shouldn’t have been a first-round pick. He’s been an underrated part of Chicago’s success this season, as his incredible efficiency and ability to play three positions make him a valuable member of the rotation. He’s shooting 53% from the field, which paces rookies with 150+ field goal attempts. He also has the highest 3P% (43%) among rookies with 50+ deep-range attempts. The Bulls got the steal of the draft in Rising Star Ayo Dosunmu.
Jonathan Kuminga (Fan Vote)
That’s right. Kuminga was voted by fans of the Bench Mob Blog to receive the final rookie slot, beating out post-up maestro Alperen Sengun. 19-year-old Kuminga was drafted as a project player, which is reflected by the ups and downs of his rookie campaign so far. He’s broken into a bigger role in January, averaging 10 PPG while shooting 49% from the field and an unexpected 41% from deep. (If you would rather see Sengun on this list, you should follow me on Twitter @thebenchmobblog so you can participate in future polls).
Sophomores
Anthony Edwards
Ant has a case to be the most entertaining player in the league. His off-court antics are just an added bonus to his flashy and exciting on-court play. If he isn’t driving by you for a powerful poster, he’s stepping back to shoot a three that’s likely going in. The most impressive part of his 2021-22 performance has been his efficiency. He shoots 9 threes a game (and they aren’t easy ones), and he hits 37% of them. He very well could be a participant in the Rising Stars game, the dunk contest, and the All-Star game. Like Ant said in his famous interview, he can do whatever you need him to.
LaMelo Ball
Another sophomore with a legit chance of being an All-Star as well as a Rising Star, LaMelo has built off his Rookie of the Year campaign and blossomed into the best player on a playoff level team. He makes teammates better with his elite floor vision, and he scores the ball at a high level too. As one of the league’s flashiest young talents, LaMelo is indubitably going to be a participant in the Rising Stars competition.
Tyrese Haliburton
A 21-year-old with the efficiency and IQ of an experienced veteran, Tyrese has broken out in a big way this season. His numbers aren’t much different from last year, but they don’t tell the whole story. His play this season has people questioning if Sacramento should move on from De’Aaron Fox, who placed 34th in my top 100 players of the 2021 season list. Tyrese is one of my favorite young guys in the league right now.
Cole Anthony
Cole Anthony puts the star in Rising Star. He’s got a swagger and a smoothness to his game that make him a bright spot when watching the overall mediocre Magic. Although his efficiency is down from early in the year, the way Cole plays makes me a firm believer that he will make at least one All-Star game in his career.
Desmond Bane
A top candidate for Most Improved Player, the man I wanted the Bucks to draft has been ballin’ this season. His very efficient and consistent scoring is a big reason why the Grizzlies are a top team in the West. You could make the argument that he’s the second-best player on the team. That’s definitely Rising Star worthy.
Tyrese Maxey
With Ben Simmons sitting out, Tyrese Maxey has taken the opportunity and ran away with it. He’s improved in just about every major statistical category, averaging 16.5 PPG and 5 APG while shooting 46% from the field and 41% from three. He’s another obvious choice.
Saddiq Bey
Along with the six players listed above him, Saddiq Bey is a guy who I think will make an All-Star game one day. That is a reflection of how deep the 2020 draft class is. After a slow November, Saddiq’s numbers have crawled out of the gutter. He’s averaging 17 PPG and shooting 37% from three (8.5 attempts per game) in January, showing he can be a top option in your offense.
Devin Vassell
He doesn’t get the same opportunity as the other sophomores I’ve named so far, but Devin Vassell has a shot at being just as good as they will be one day. Originally a 3&D prospect, he’s shown shot-creation ability this season that will help him become an All-Star in the future. For now, he’s a Rising Star.
Jae’Sean Tate
After going undrafted in 2018, Jae’Sean Tate finally got a shot in the NBA last season with the Rockets. It’s a good thing Houston took a chance on him because he’s become a top-100 level player. He’s a fearless finisher at the rim, an energized rebounder, a gritty defender, and has even shown some playmaking ability. So despite being 26, Jae’Sean’s versatility earns him a spot in the Rising Star festivities.
Obi Toppin
Obi Toppin is an important part of New York’s rotation for one reason: hustle. Obi has a ridiculous motor matched by very few players. He’s raw on offense, so overall his game isn’t sexy, but he’s also a past dunk-contest participant. His high-flying slams need to be showcased as much as possible, so he needs to play in the Rising Stars game.
Isaac Okoro
Okoro, who was picked fifth overall in the 2020 draft, disappointed many with his play during his rookie season. I was included in that group of skeptics, but this season I have seen the light. Although the shooting isn’t always there, Okoro plays tenacious perimeter defense on the league’s best players. He’s also good for a thrilling dunk here and there, so I think he deserves to be in the Rising Stars game.
Immanuel Quickley (Fan Vote)
Just like Jonathan Kuminga before him, Quickley makes this list by the decision of BMB fans. He narrowly edged out Onyeka Okongwu (who was my personal choice, but I figured it would be fun to let you readers be involved). Quickley is a bucket-getter off the bench who can heat up in a second.
Before we wrap this up, I have a few more picks to make. At some point during the Rising Stars challenge, the participants will be challenged to recreate iconic playoff moments. So just for fun, I’ve selected a few of those moments and who I’d like to see recreate them.
Ray Allen’s Game-Tier (2013)
Lebron- Scottie Barnes
Chris Bosh- Evan Mobley
Ray Allen- Desmond Bane
I can hear it now: Barnes catches, puts up a three… won’t go, rebound Mobley! Back out to Bane, his three-pointer… BANG!
I’m casting Barnes as LeBron because they’re both guards in a forward’s body, Mobley as Bosh because Bosh was his common pre-draft comparison, and Bane as Allen because both are knockdown shooters.
The Valley-Oop (2021)
Jrue Holiday- Davion Mitchell
Giannis- Obi Toppin
Picking Toppin to be Giannis feels weird, but it makes sense to have the former dunk-contest participant catching a lob. Davion gets to be Jrue because both are known for their lockdown guard defense.
Damian Lillard’s “Bad Shot” (2019)
Dame- Cole Anthony
While Cole doesn’t have Dame’s limitless range, they do share the clutch gene. I think it would be fun for Cole to recreate Dame’s half-court game-winner from the 2019 playoffs. Maybe they could bring out Paul George to guard it.
The Block (2016)
LeBron- Herb Jones
Because he’s an outstanding defender, I want to see my favorite rookie pull off LeBron’s iconic chase-down block.
The Shot (1989)
Michael Jordan- Anthony Edwards
Something about this just makes sense. I feel like Ant would compare himself to MJ, so this seems like a great fit.
So, those are all of my Rising Star picks! Do you agree or disagree? What iconic playoff moments do you want to see recreated? Let me know! Thanks for reading (and waiting two weeks for a new article), and see you next time!
If you didn’t see the trade yet, here’s what went down:
New York Knicks get: Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill, 2025 second-round pick (via Brooklyn)
Atlanta Hawks get: Kevin Knox, 2022 protected first-round pick (via Charlotte)
Cam Reddish is a very talented player. He’s a natural scorer with a high ceiling, and at just 22 years old he has lots of time to reach it. Getting a player like Reddish by only giving up a protected first and a third-string player is crazy. What a trade for New York.
This deal had me thinking about what the near future will look like for the Knicks. After their cinderella 2020-21 campaign, it seemed that they would be a perennial playoff roster behind the duo of Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett. However, the 2021-22 season has been a massive disappointment for the team. Randle has regressed to his pre-All-Star self, Barrett has been inconsistent, and offseason acquisitions such as Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker have not pushed the team over the edge.
So, what’s next for the Knicks? Should they continue their playoff push, or should they retool around their young talent?
It’s tough to say when we’re not even halfway through the season. The Knicks have the players they need to turn things around and make the postseason (especially when Derrick Rose returns, who has arguably been their best player).
On the other hand, if they keep struggling, I think this should be an active trade deadline for New York. The young core of R.J. Barrett, Cam Reddish, Immanuel Quickley, Mitchell Robinson, and Obi Toppin is really solid and flipping veteran players could bolster it further and set the Knicks up for the next 5+ years.
I think a Kemba Walker trade should happen in either situation. He’s still a starting-caliber point guard, and since his contract is just $8 million I could see a borderline playoff team willing to give up a young player to get him (New Orleans perhaps? Jaxson Hayes or Kira Lewis would be solid returns for Kemba).
Overall, I’m interested to see how this season plays out for the Knicks. Whether they make playoffs or not, it will at least be exciting to see R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish reunited and hooping together.
What do you think the Knicks should do next? Should they try to compete, or should they go young? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and see you next time!
It’s June 21st, 2018, and the Orlando Magic are on the clock with the 41st pick in the NBA draft. They select forward Jarred Vanderbilt out of Kentucky and immediately trade him to the Denver Nuggets.
In his first two seasons in the league, Vanderbilt played just 115 total minutes across 28 games. With a raw skillset and a lack of a jump shot, it seemed that he would be out of the league once his rookie deal expired.
That’s not what happened.
Over the last two seasons, Vanderbilt has been one of the most valuable parts of Minnesota’s return to competitiveness. Despite averaging just 6.6 points per contest, Jarred’s impact shows up beyond the stat sheet. He plays with a relentless tenacity that no other player in the league can match.
Diving into Jarred Vanderbilt’s unique game, a perfect place to start is his monstrous January 9th performance against the Houston Rockets. He posted a career-high 21 points and 19 rebounds (adding 2 steals and 2 blocks) in front of his hometown fans.
Of his 19 rebounds, 6 were offensive. That’s the sixth time he’s grabbed 6+ this season (he snagged an insane 8 offensive boards against the Lakers on December 17th). At just 6’9″, Jarred out-rebounds most centers in the league (his 113 o-boards places him 9th in the league in that category).
That’s UNREAL energy. Coaches always talk about “wanting it more”, and Vando is the definition of that. He corrals misses like his life depends on it.
Let’s move on to the defensive end, where Jarred excels. He’s a good, versatile defender, and he’s a major reason why Minnesota’s defense has improved this season.
He picks up a lot of stocks with his 7-foot wingpsan. He averages 1.5 SPG and 0.8 BPG on the season, and his 2.9 steal percentage is tied for fourth in the league (the other players with a 2.9 STL% are Jimmy Butler, Dejounte Murray, and Marcus Smart. That’s elite defensive company).
He has excellent anticipation in passing lanes.
Take a look at this sweet chase-down block:
Jarred held LeBron to 33% shooting (2 for 6) in that game. That’s what he does. He spend a lot of time guarding the other teams best player, and he does so effectively.
Guarding Kevin Durant is no easy task, but Vando can do it. He plays him super well on this possession:
In case you were curious, the advanced stats recognize his defense. His +3.1 defensive RAPTOR is top 20 in the league.
Overall, Vanderbilt is master of the dirty work. He makes a winning impact with his hustle every night, and he is just as important to Minnesota as any other player on their roster (he is second on the team in total win shares).
Unfortunately, Vando flies under the radar in a league dominated by flashy guard play. Part of that is because of the way he plays, and part of it is because the Timberwolves are overlooked as a whole.
Jarred Vanderbilt needs to be appreciated. The energy he brings is a breath of fresh air in today’s NBA.
With 2021 complete, the Bench Mob Blog has existed for an entire year. That’s crazy. To celebrate that, I’ve gone through all of my past articles and put together a list of my worst takes ever.
I was originally going to include some of my best takes too, but those aren’t as fun. I’d rather make fun of myself for stupid things I said.
These takes are ordered from most plausible to “what the heck were you thinking?”
(None are plausible at all though.)
Let’s get going!
#10: Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie will hold back Anthony Edwards
I’ll start off with a take from my second oldest article, which is my 2021 award predictions. When writing about Anthony Edwards, I said that Minnesota’s logjam on the wing would prevent him from putting up Rookie of the Year numbers. The logjam in question? Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie.
Ant went on to average 19 points per game and finish second in the ROTY race. Jarrett Culver played just 9 minutes per game across 12 contests.
Whoops. Shoutout Ant.
#9: Picking Cleveland to be the 14th seed
The Cavaliers have surprised everyone. If someone were to say they thought Cleveland was a legit playoff team prior to this season, they likely would have been clowned. Now, I’m the guy who looks like a clown.
I predicted the Cavs would finish 14th in the Eastern Conference and 26th in the league, having a worse record than teams like Detroit and Sacramento. I was really wrong, but I’m glad about it because I’ve had a lot of fun watching them play this season. Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen are legit All-Star candidates, Evan Mobley is the Rookie of the Year, Kevin Love is reviving his career, and Tacko Fall is on the team. Shoutout Cleveland.
#8: Andre Drummond is a top 60 player
When predicting my top 100 players for the 2020-21 season, I had Drummond at 60th. I put too much stock in his impressive statistics. While Drummond isn’t a bad NBA player by any stretch (he’s been pretty solid off the bench for Philadelphia), his performance during that season amplified the “stats aren’t everything” argument. He’s lazy a lot of the time, and he doesn’t contribute to winning basketball enough to be a starting center in the league. Shoutout Drummond, though, because I think he gets a lot of undeserved hate (especially from Pistons fans).
#7: Doubting Zion’s ability to make the All-Star game
I wasn’t doubting his ability to be an All-Star during his overall career, just last season. Due to injuries and team success, I didn’t think he could make the 2021 All-Star game. I was obviously wrong, as he was selected to be an All-Star while averaging 27 points per game on excellent efficiency.
#6: Jakob Poetl does nothing
That’s a direct quote from my article “I Just Wanted to Talk About the Spurs”, which consisted of me showing love to the Spurs and their players. Not Jakob, though. I flat-out disrespected him. While his offensive skill is underwhelming, he’s a top-tier interior defender that makes a winning impact for San Antonio every night. I’ve grown to like him, and I can’t believe I made such a ridiculous claim about him. Shoutout Jakob.
#5: Leaving the Grizzlies out of the 2022 playoffs
I did this in both my 2021 and 2022 preseason power rankings. It was a dumb take in both instances, but it was incredibly bad this time. The Grizzlies are the fourth seed in the West so far, and their ability to win even without Ja Morant is an extra spit in the face for this terrible take. Shoutout Memphis.
#4: Devin Booker can’t be the best player on a good team
The popular take is that Chris Paul was the best player on Phoenix’s 2021 Finals roster. That’s true, but this season Devin Booker is the alpha dog in the Valley. I think I watch Book be such an elite second option that I forgot he could be a number one. This take was very ignorant. Shoutout D-Book.
#3: Being a casual when talking about Draymond Green
When predicting my top 100 players of the 2021 season, I placed Draymond Green at 88th. He was coming off a 2019-20 season where he was not his usual self, and because I disliked him at the time I criminally underrated him. Just read this quote from that article:
“So, his numbers will probably look better than they did last year, especially his playmaking numbers (apparently good passers need good players to pass to. I personally think that’s false, because freaking Christiano Felicio could average 7 assists if he was passing to prime Klay Thompson).”
That’s all you need to read. I was acting like one of the casual fans I dislike so much. Shoutout Draymond Green. You’re an All-Star this season.
#2: Picking the Jazz to be the 8th seed
This is from my 2020-21 preseason power rankings. My reasoning for picking the Jazz to finish in the play-in tournament is that their roster didn’t improve from the season prior. I had them lower in the power rankings than teams like Toronto, Dallas, Boston, and Portland.
Although they haven’t gone far in the playoffs, Utah has been one of the best regular-season teams in the league since this take. Shoutout Utah, I underestimated you guys way too much.
And now, the moment you all have been waiting for, my worst take of all time.
#1: Not putting Jokic in my top five picks for 2022 MVP
Nikola Jokic had just won the MVP, and I decided Anthony Davis has a better shot at winning the award than him. That’s a catastrophically bad take. The Joker has a legitimate argument for being the best player in the world, and he is arguably the favorite to win Most Valuable Player once again. Shoutout Jokic.
So, those are my worst takes ever! Hope you had as much fun laughing at me as I did laughing at myself (so laughing with me, I guess). Thanks for reading, and see y’all next time!
The Western Conference guard pool is ridiculously deep. Almost every team has a star guard. Because of this, there are going to be some significant snubs this season.
Stephen Curry. Damian Lillard. Luka Doncic. Devin Booker. Chris Paul. Donovan Mitchell. Those guys are established superstars who are virtual locks to make the All-Star game every season. Only a max of six backcourt players can be selected from each conference, meaning young guys such as Ja Morant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Dejounte Murray are going to have a hard time earning the nod for the first time.
But if those players are superstars, shouldn’t they all earn All-Star honors? Most of them, yes. There’s no world where at least four of those guys don’t make it, and it’s likely all of them will.
However, this article features one of the hottest takes I’ve ever had. Are you ready?
Chris Paul shouldn’t be an All-Star this season.
That probably sounds crazy. If you didn’t close this article after reading that, thank you.
After all, isn’t Chris one of the league’s most valuable players? Over the last few seasons, the narrative that he has the biggest winning impact in the NBA has become very widespread. He is a truly great leader, but I think his impact has become exaggerated. Calling him a top-five MVP candidate this season is preposterous. Heck, I think it’s safe to say that he isn’t even the best player on his team anymore.
So, what is Chis Paul at this point in his career? At age 36, he is still a top point guard in the league. He’s the best floor general, and the only player who’s a better scorer from the mid-range than him is KD. His three-point shooting and free-throw shooting are down this season, but he doesn’t need to score the help a team win.
So why isn’t he an All-Star?
I may just be extremely biased, but I think Dejounte Murray or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should have his spot. If you throw away team success (which should barely matter during All-Star selection in my opinion), both Dejounte and Shai have a better All-Star case than CP3.
Dejounte Murray, who plays for a San Antonio team that gets zero media attention, has quietly become one of the top two-way guards in the entire league. He’s developed into an elite defender (he plays better D than arguably every other All-Star guard in the league), a top-notch floor general, and a clutch performer. Just look at his stat line:
17.8 PPG/8.4 RPG/8.8 APG/2.0 SPG/44% FG/34% 3PT/70% FT
DJ has a league-leading 6 triple-doubles at this point in the season. He’s an out-of-this-world talent.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as Thunder fans say, is him. He’s been on a ridiculous tear lately. Just look at his last five games:
18 PTS/3 REB/6 AST and the game-winner vs LAC (win)
23 PTS/5 REB/4 AST/3 STL and more clutch play vs MEM (win)
27 PTS/11 REB/12 AST vs DEN (win)
29 PTS/5 REB/7 AST vs PHO (loss)
31 PTS/4 REB/5 AST/3 BLK vs NOP (win)
His performance across those games earned him Player of the Week honors, something very few Thunder players have accomplished.
In the end, Dejounte and Shai have been awesome this season, and it would be heartbreaking if they missed out on their first All-Star game this season. (I honestly feel like the league should expand the All-Star rosters, but that’s a different conversation.) So I’m not hating on Chris Paul at all. Everybody knows how good he is, and if he ends up being selected he will deserve it. I simply feel that Dejounte Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserve it more.
(I’ll end this article with a question that probably doesn’t need to be asked, but might get some more buzz about this article: What does Chris Paul provide for a team that Dejounte Murray doesn’t?)
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