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naijastudio · 3 years

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Kenny Anderson Biography, Achievements, Award& Net Worth

Kenny Anderson is a former basketball player. The athlete spends his career in the National Basketball Association. Anderson played for several clubs. He played as point guard professionally from 1991 to 2006 for New Jersey Nets and Boston Celtics. Kenny is known for his playing style. The athlete was an essential part of his college and school team. The ethnicity of the player is black. The player awarded several prizes during his career in NBA. Kenny Anderson Wiki Fact Celebrated Name: Kenny Anderson Real Name/Full Name: Kenneth Anderson Gender: Male Age: 51 years old Birth Date: October 09, 1970 Birth Place: Queens, New York, United States Nationality: American Height: 6 ft 0 in Weight: 76kg Sexual Orientation: Straight Marital Status: Married Wife/Spouse (Name): Natasha Anderson (m. 2007), Tamiyka Lockhart (m. 2002–2004), Tami Roman (m. 1994–2001) Children/Kids (Son and Daughter): Yes (Lyric Anderson, Kenny Anderson Jr, and Jazz Anderson) Dating/Girlfriend (Name): N/A Is Kenny Anderson Gay?: No Profession: Basketball Player Salary: No Net Worth $1 Million Maybe you know about Kenny Anderson very well, but do you know how old and tall is he and what is his net worth in 2021? If you do not know, we have prepared this article about details of Kenny Anderson’s short biography-wiki, career, professional life, personal life, today’s net worth, age, height, weight, and more facts. Well, if you’re ready, let’s start. Early Life & Biography Kenny Anderson was born on October 09, 1970, in Queens, New York, United States. The mother of the player is Joan Anderson. He raised by his mother alone. He has two sisters named Sandra and Danielle. The player raised in a low-income family. The mother of Kenny always inspired him to make a career in Basketball. In 2005, Kenny’s mother died due to a heart attack. Anderson published on the front page of the New York Sports Section at age 14. He studied from high school in LeFrak City, Queens. The player attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, Queens, United States. High school considered the best school for Basketball. At the end of a school career, he became the first player to named All-City Four Times and four-times Parade ALL American. The athlete received several other awards like McDonald’s All-American, New York State Mr. Basketball by New York State Coaches Organization Association, and USA Today. Kenny was called no-1 player in the United States. In November 1988, he signed a letter of intent at Georgia Tech. The player received an offer from North Carolina, Duke, and Syracuse, but selected Yellow Jackets. In Yellow Jackets, he was the point guard for two years. He, along with Dennis Scott and Brian Oliver, helped the team to get in Final Four 1990. The nickname of his trio was Lethal Weapon 3. Anderson team Georgia tech was at no 8 In 1991 NCAA tournament. The player announced his eligibility to enter in NBA draft. Personal Life The player is the father of eight children. The first time he became the father of a daughter when he was studying and playing at Georgia tech. Kenny was in-relationship with Salt-n-Pepa member Dee Dee Roper. Kenny and Dee have a daughter together. Anderson first time married to Tami Roman. She also appeared in show Basketball Wives. The couple divorced after some time and have two daughters together. In 1998, he met Tamiyka R Lockhart in West Los Angeles while they are going through a divorce. After some, the tied knot with each other and divorced in 2004. They have a son named Kenny Anderson Jr. In 2007, Kenny married the third time to Natasha. They met during the 2004 NBA playoffs. The couple together has a son and daughter. In 2005, the player filled for bankruptcy despite earning $63 million. The athlete revealed in an interview that he sexually abused in childhood. Anderson suffered from a stroke during February 2019. Age, Height, and Weight Being born on October 09 1970, Kenny Anderson is 51 years old as of today’s date 22nd October 2021. His height is 6 ft 0 in tall, and his weight is 76 kg. Career In the 1991 NBA Draft, he was selected by the New Jersey Nets on the second pick. The player became the youngest player in the league. In his rookie year, he scored seven points, two rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. The athlete doubles his point in the second season. Kenny averaged 18.8 points and 9.6 assists in the third season. The player included in the NBA All-Star Game with teammate Derrick Coleman. In 1996, the player traded to Charlotte Hornets with Gerald Glass. The athlete signed to Portland Trail Blazer in 1996. The player later traded to Boston Celtics. Kenny spends lots of time with the Celtic and then sent to Seattle Supersonics. Anderson played as the point guard for the Indian Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, and Los Angeles Clippers. During the 2005-06 season, he released from Lithonia’s Zalgiris Kaunas and his career as a basketball player end at that time. Awards & Achievements The player inducted into New York City Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 September. Net Worth & Salary of Kenny Anderson in 2021 Kenny Anderson Net Worth As of October 2021, The net worth of Kenny Anderson is $1 million. The player suffered from serious money issues. He earned more than $60 million from salary. He was fully broke after retirement. After retirement, he became the coach of the Continental Basketball Association. He played the match in North Korea. The athlete appeared on several TV shows. In 2018, the player hired by head basketball coach for Fish University. Kenny Anderson is working on his income. The player comes from a low-income family background. He created his name in Basketball. Read the full article

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unitedstatesofworld · 15 days

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Duke Dennis Age: How Old is the Internet Sensation?

If you’ve ever watched gaming streams or browsed YouTube for entertaining content, you’ve probably come across the Duke Dennis age. With his engaging personality and skills in NBA 2K, Duke has built a massive following online. But one question fans frequently ask is, how old is Duke Dennis?

Who is Duke Dennis?

Before we dive into the details about Duke Dennis’ age, let’s get a quick overview of who this rising star is. Duke Dennis is a popular YouTuber and content creator known for his NBA 2K gaming videos. His energetic commentary and gaming prowess have earned him millions of fans, and he’s a familiar face in the online gaming world.

Duke Dennis’ Journey to Fame

Duke’s road to success wasn’t an overnight phenomenon. He started uploading videos on YouTube back in 2017, focusing on NBA 2K content. His unique gameplay and ability to engage viewers led to a steady rise in subscribers, and before long, Duke had solidified himself as a top content creator in the gaming community.

The Early Days on YouTube

When Duke first started his YouTube channel, he wasn’t as widely known. However, his skillful play and relatable personality quickly set him apart from other creators. Fans loved how he could keep things entertaining while still being incredibly skilled at NBA 2K.

Collaborations and Crossovers

One thing that really helped Duke’s growth is his collaborations with other popular creators. By teaming up with other big names in the NBA 2K community, Duke managed to reach new audiences, further expanding his brand. His collaborations also allowed him to showcase more of his personality, which fans just couldn’t get enough of.

How Old is Duke Dennis?

Now for the big question — how old is Duke Dennis? While Duke has been somewhat private about his personal life, his birthdate is believed to be February 26, 1994, making him 30 years old as of 2024. Surprised? Duke certainly doesn’t look or act his age, but that’s part of his charm. His youthful energy and humor keep fans guessing about his real age.

Does His Age Affect His Popularity?

Not at all! In fact, Duke’s ability to appeal to both younger and older audiences has been one of his biggest strengths. His laid-back attitude and relatability make him accessible to gamers of all ages. Whether you’re in your teens or well into your 30s, there’s something about Duke’s content that resonates with everyone.

Duke Dennis’ Personality: Why Fans Love Him

Age aside, a big part of Duke’s appeal is his personality. He’s got that effortless charisma that makes you want to keep watching, no matter what he’s doing on screen. Let’s look at some of the traits that have earned him such a devoted fan base.

Humor and Wit

Duke’s sense of humor is one of the key elements that draw viewers to his channel. He’s never afraid to crack a joke, whether it’s at his own expense or during an intense gameplay moment. This lightheartedness is infectious and keeps fans coming back for more.

H3: Competitive Edge

While Duke is known for being funny, don’t let that fool you — he’s also incredibly competitive. His NBA 2K skills are no joke, and fans love watching him dominate in the game. It’s this perfect blend of humor and skill that makes him stand out in a crowded field of gaming creators.

Duke Dennis Beyond Gaming

Though Duke initially rose to fame through NBA 2K, he’s expanded his content over the years. He’s no longer just a gamer — he’s an all-around entertainer. From vlogs to collaborations with other content creators, Duke is showing that he’s got what it takes to make it in multiple realms of entertainment.

Engaging with Fans

Another reason Duke has maintained his popularity is his genuine connection with his fans. He often takes time to interact with viewers through social media, live streams, and fan events. This direct engagement creates a loyal community around his content.

Exploring New Ventures

In recent years, Duke has branched out into new content, including lifestyle vlogs, challenges, and collaborations outside of the gaming niche. This move has helped him reach even broader audiences and proves that he’s not limited to just one type of content.

What’s Next for Duke Dennis?

At 30, Duke Dennis shows no signs of slowing down. As his channel continues to grow, it’s clear that he has big plans for the future. Whether it’s expanding his content, venturing into other industries, or further engaging with fans, we can expect to see a lot more of Duke in the years to come.

Future Collaborations and Content Expansion

Given his success so far, it’s likely that Duke will continue to collaborate with other creators and potentially even enter into business ventures outside of YouTube. He’s hinted at trying new things, and fans are eager to see what’s next.

Staying True to His Roots

Despite all his success, one thing that fans appreciate about Duke is that he’s remained authentic. He hasn’t let fame get to his head and continues to be the same down-to-earth guy who started playing NBA 2K for fun. This authenticity will no doubt continue to drive his success.

Conclusion

So, there you have it — Duke Dennis is 30 years old, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. His combination of skill, humor, and authenticity has made him one of the most beloved figures in the online gaming community. With millions of fans and new opportunities on the horizon, it’s safe to say that Duke Dennis is here to stay, no matter what his age may be.

#Duke Dennis Net Worth #Duke Dennis #Duke Dennis Age

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gardenpeony71-blog · 5 years

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Ask Sam Mailbag: 01.18.19

After watching the Lakers game and reviewing box score from the loss to the Nuggets I see a team with no go-to guy and no special playmaker who can score and get others shots and make them better, no defense, no shooting. Where do we go from here with this team?

Craig Chandler

Sam: Hey, what about how difficult it is to do one of these Ask Sam columns on a nine-game losing streak? Anyone thinking about me! So, how about looking at it this way: There's no great way to consider what's been going on with the Bulls lately other than to reassure you that,

The sun'll come out Tomorrow Bet your bottom dollar That tomorrow There'll be sun Just thinkin' about Tomorrow Clears away the cobwebs And the sorrow 'Til there's none When I'm stuck a with day That's gray, And lonely Carrying a nine-game losing streak and feeling eek! I just stick out my chin And Grin, And Say, Oh My The sun'll come out Tomorrow So ya gotta hang on 'Til tomorrow Come what may Tomorrow, tomorrow maybe they'll win tomorrow You're always A day Away

Quvenzhané Wallis with an assist from Sam Smith

I do not profess to be a NBA coach evaluator but it seems to me this team is not playing up to its potential. There certainly appears to be enough talent on this team to accidently win a game once in a while. The players seem upset about this especially after the Denver loss. I think it is not too early to judge Coach Boylen. From afar it seems this team is not responding to his coaching. My question is while I am a full fan of Paxson, I wonder why not name Boylen interim as most teams do instead of giving him a two year contract?

Dwayne Corry

Sam: I need to straighten at least that out. Jim Boylen did not get an extension. He was on an assistant coaching contract through the 2019-20 season matched with Fred Hoiberg, which is standard. When an assistant is promoted to head coach whether called interim or not it is routine for the assistant to be given a slight bump in salary—same as Larry Drew in Cleveland—for the additional duties and responsibilities. Boylen got that as soon as he acceded to the job as does every coach in that situation. He was already under contract through the end of next season and still is with the appropriate addition for being asked to do more as would be with any of us in most any job. I don't disagree with the absence of an interim title because your statement to the players should be we are serious and this isn't a substitute teacher, so put away your spit balls and whoopee cushions (what? they don't do that anymore?).

OK, it doesn't look like it sometimes, but a Western Conference trip in the midst of trades, injuries and reworking a playing system in the middle of the season isn't exactly a stable time. The Bulls say after every season everyone is evaluated and I assume that will be the situation again. But Boylen also has not had a training camp or a chance to hire his own staff or much consultation about personnel. Tough to judge.

I know you don't pay too much attention to college hoops, what are your thoughts about Zion? I know a guy who knows a guy that says he may not be worth a long term investment due to his style of play and weight... his knees may not hold up. I personally think he may be a tweener... he may be too short for a power forward and he may be slow/ heavy for small forward. Great athlete and great college player, but I don't see him being close to a superstar in the NBA. if we end up with him, where does he play? Can he play small forward? We already have 2 guys at power forward in Markannen and Carter.

Joe Dobrzynski

Sam: If he's as good as many suggest, then he plays wherever he wants. True, I don't watch much college ball—lately the NBA ball I have been watching has been bad enough—but I have ventured to a Duke game on occasion and see some flaws, like shooting, though I have yet to give him a physical. A lot of top picks don't work out. It happens. No matter what the NBA GMs say now, everyone wanted Greg Oden and not Kevin Durant. The kid looks like he could be a star, and, especially for the Bulls that's what they lack. I like Markkanen and LaVine a lot, and believe if you get them a star to attract some attention instead of all of it going to them they will be much better. Maybe the Duke kid does fade out. Who knows. Remember Brandon Roy who went from Rookie of the Year surprise to high school coach? But the draft is about taking a chance on a star. There are no guarantees. He looks to be the biggest star in this draft. I'd have no hesitation. And imagine if I were actually watching.

Can your remember NBA players from former generations who seemed way too athletic and powerful for their body to handle the rigorous of the league longterm? D-Rose comes to mind, Zion scares me, Larry Johnson? Jordan and Lebron do not really qualify to me, they are exceptional athletes as well, but their bodies did not seem as freakish as Zion's and Rose's jump, stop and acceleration ability was off the charts.

Sven Ruppert

Sam: Injuries are bad luck; Zion would be good luck.

Pundits everywhere, including those attached to the Bulls, are all salivating over Zion Williamson - and the Bulls are fast amassing a record that could make ZW a possibility in the next draft. My question is - in terms of fitting in with the Bulls - is Zion more of a short 4 on a team that seems all "4ed-up", or more of an oversized 3 who will have trouble guarding smaller, quicker players at that position? (a Jabari Parker with less range?). I know he's a talent, but who sits when he takes the floor and is he a Boylen-kind-of-guy?

Dennis Novak

Sam: I can see where the fan interest is going. As I suggested, I'm fairly confident he's Boylen's type of guy. It's not that difficult to fall in love with someone special.

What a great job the Nets have done so far this year. After arguably the worst NBA trade ever in 2014 it appeared the Nets would take a decade to recover. They traded away their draft picks for 2014, 2016 and 2018. In addition Boston got to swap picks with them in 2017. Success didn't seem possible until they could finally get their draft picks from 2019 going forward. The playoffs, maybe in 2024. Halfway through the season and they are 23-23 after winning an amazing game against the Rockets. The GM, coach and team are to be congratulated. The are an incredibly resilient bunch of unrecognizable and discarded players. Treveon Graham, Joe Harris, Rodeons Kurucs, Jarret Allen and D'Angelo Russell were their starting lineup against the Rockets. Against the Rockets they were down by 14 with a few minutes to go in regulation and tied it. In overtime, they were down by 6 with about a minute to go and won it. They help define resilience. This team finally has their own 1st round pick this year and chose winning to tanking. They have skipped the tank to build a winning culture. Kudos to a really great team. Can you make your magic now happen for the Bulls?

Bruce Roberts

Sam: Well, it has been my philosophy in avoiding the indignity and fraud of losing on purpose because losing makes you a loser. I fear it is occurring with the Bulls to some extent, though I am facing some ambivalence considering the two months lost to injuries and the coaching change and the hole so deep that perhaps it might be best for the rest of this season to not try so hard. Though I wince when I even think about it. The losing model guarantees you nothing, and I agree, good for the Nets for putting a very nice team together. But their problem with some good trades—and I still count the Jimmy Butler one good for the Bulls—is that they have yet to have that transcendent star and are last in the league in attendance. Maybe in free agency this summer? Winning is a curious thing. It only seems understandable when you examine the successful teams. But that is the best team I've enjoyed from Brooklyn since the '56 Dodgers.

After reading your take on Jabari Parker being back in the rotation after their loss to the Lakers, it made me think back to when you've said you're not a fan of his demeanor towards the media. Too terse, always on the defensive, etc with Zach Lavine being basically the polar opposite. That said, It made me wonder who have been some of your favorite players to speak to over the years?

Nicholas Hill

Sam: First regarding Jabari; his attitude and demeanor were awful when he came to the Bulls. Why, I never could figure. All everyone said was he was different, but not evil. Actually, since the benching, which wasn't a great idea, and in the return he's been much better. The point wasn't so much he wasn't cooperative. There were plenty of guys to talk to who are terrific people; but it was the way he was answering simple questions with defiant, one word answers. It's mire an insult to people at their jobs, failing to give respect to someone's job. Jabari never once was asked back then an unfair or even probing question. Anyway, he's been fine lately, if not detailed. All just about everyone in media really asks for is simple decency.

The truth is there are so, so many really good people in the NBA, kids who came from difficult backgrounds who are grateful for the opportunity, friendly, savvy and eager to help. Some of my favorites over the years for being open, outgoing, helpful and friendly were Elton Brand, Larry Bird, Steve Kerr, Magic Johnson, Phil Jackson, Joe Dumars, Kyle Korver, Jerry West, Jordan (pre-championships), Isiah Thomas, Johnny Kerr, Joe Caldwell, Chet Walker, Horace Grant, Charles Barkley, Mack Calvin, Wayne Embry, Brent Barry, Grant Hill, Bill Cartwright, Pau Gasol, Derrick Rose and too many more I'll regret leaving out.

I really don't have an opinion on Boylan yet as a coach, but I have read "experts" opinions on the internet which feel the Bulls young talent is not developing since he took over (They were all hurt under Hoiberg so nothing to really compare). Do you feel there is acceptable growth in the Bulls players as individuals and as a group under the watch?

Jason Doll

Sam: I know from being a parent we shouldn't monitor growth by the week or month. I know it's different in sports, and there have been some setbacks the last month or so. But let's be real, as it were. It's a month with a new coach, players off injuries having lost their preseason and yadda, yadda. I know no one likes hearing it and a losing streak headed to the bottom of the league and a succession of blowout losses is depressing. We saw plenty of good things from LaVine pretty much until the coaching change and plenty from Markkanen, who came back strong against the Nuggets. The glimpse showed you he has a lot of stuff. Carter is that tough guy the Bulls always talk about. The Bulls talk about growth, too, but I assume they mean over a season and not a losing streak. We should know a lot more by summer when the Bulls make Williamson player/coach/primary stockholder and the new team logo.

The Wolves (while not amazing) have twice as many wins as the Bulls while playing in the Western conference. Meanwhile, the Bulls are actually worse this year. If the future success of the Bulls (drafting Zion) has nothing to do with the assets/players acquired in the Butler trade doesn't that mean GarPax lost that transaction?

Matthew Ruth

Sam: Curious way of looking at that. Though I am going to Williamson's Hall of Fame enshrinement in September. I think the Bulls would make that deal again, and I'm fairly sure the Timberwolves would not, and certainly not Thibodeau, which probably would mean he still was working there. I'm still on board for LaVine, Markkanen and Dunn for Covington and Saric.

I'm interested to see what happens the rest of this season. Apparently, Boylen will be gradually introducing more pace. Let's see how Dunn plays as that happens.I think he's a very solid player and that he can play faster than we've seen. But can he see the court well & drop dimes on the run? Can he take more 3's and still make a good % of them? It's hard to assess his fit into an offense they aren't really running yet. Hopefully, we'll know enough after 39 more games to make a sound decision. For that matter, if we draft a point guard it can still be a competition for the starting job. Dunn would be an awfully strong player to have coming off the bench. The great teams have player like that – who might start elsewhere – on their benches. Why not us? But from the Nuggets game there's no doubt in my mind now that the tank is on. Boylen's comments are a dead give-away. Yes, it's "a season of discovery"… yet another one. Anyway, I'm giving the game ball to RoLo – 17 & 6 in 19 min. on 8-10 shooting plus some nice intangibles. Everybody else mostly stunk.

Art Alenik

Sam: When the season started the No. 1 question on most lists was Kris Dunn, and I think it still is. The Denver game was disappointing—yes, in many respects—the way Dunn made a point after the Lakers game of apologizing, which I didn't think was necessary as bad games happen, but then didn't do much again. End of bad trip, altitude, a team making 20 threes. It may have looked worse than it was. Dunn has had some very effective games, and his numbers are respectable at 12.5 and 6.5 coming off missing two months. But I'm still having difficulty figuring out what he exactly is in this era of high scoring, hot shooting point guards.

I don't think sixth man is a horrible thing, though many NBA players, like Parker, have disagreed. It seems like a nice way to make a living. Having a guy like Dunn coming in as a combo guard may be the stuff of an excellent team. I don't think the Bulls have fully made up their minds on Dunn and it's hard to get a read from Dunn about how he'd deal with such a competition and situation because he is so guarded. Hey, he's a guard in case you missed that one. I get it. He's only played a bit more than a month, so it's not so much the tank as many of the the questions don't have answer yet.

Who is Zach Lavine as a ball player or are you still waiting to see? He is having a good statistical year and the team is not winning. I see a talented offensive player with an innate ability to score and on the defensive end someone who will not be a difference maker. Will he be more than a great scorer? Is it fair to start the Jamal Crawford comparisons and if that's the career he has, is it good enough for the Bulls to continue to keep him on their rebuilding roster? If he continues to put up just under 24, 4, and 4, will there be serious suitors on the trade market? Is he the person the Bulls should be building a team around or will his need to have the ball on the offensive end, hinder the progression of young players?

Tim Koncel

Sam: I don't think it's either you're Michael Jordan or James Harden or you're Shaun Livingston. I like Zach as a player a lot. Many don't like him as much as I do. I don't worry about the defensive component as much since James Harden seems to have done OK without it. Yes, Harden is a build around, and maybe Zach isn't quite that player, but he makes tough shots, takes tough shots, can get to the basket and is a good shooter and great athlete. Who are the Bulls to say that's not good enough for them? Enough with these Shaquille Harrisons and David Nwabas who compete like crazy. That's not the NBA. Maybe it's the NBA bench, but they're in every draft. In the second round. Zach has a chance to be a star, and those are the players the Bulls need to be accumulating. Zach has flaws, but this is his first full season back after his ACL and has never started more than 47 games in an NBA season at 23 years old. I think the Bulls these days are pushing him toward too much two-point play, and he's a willing player trying to do what is asked. My guess is he's not so sure it's what's best. But he's trying to be a good teammate and professional. The Bulls could do a lot worse. And have. More often than not, someone else's spouse or date isn't exactly who they seem from your vantage.

Its not so much the recent turmoil that has made me anxious about the rebuild it's just that even on a "good" night (not getting blown out at Utah on 2nd if back to back), the way the bulls are losing - take 9 more shots shoot a decent percentage but make 9 fewer 3s - is troubling given both the analytics or really, math (you can score more counting by 3s) and trends in the nba. In other words - isn't the urgent need drafting or signing guys who either can hit the 3 or have potential to be good 3 point shooters. I suppose if valentine can come back he would fit that description.

Guy Danilowitz

Sam: I'm fairly sure that's obvious to them as well. Yes, they could use some Valentine, and Holiday made threes (in streaks). I'd look at it as a larger issue if this were the final version of the team. I've mentioned the need for a wing player who can make plays off the dribble and shoot, a backup big man, preferably a defensive seven footer to tag team with Wendell Carter Jr., perhaps a point guard and, certainly, shooting. I'm not sure how the team sees it, but I can see Carter, Lauri Markkanen and Zach LaVine as core players going forward. There may be others, but they're still on audition regarding play or salary. There's another high draft pick coming and a big money free agent or two this summer. Probably not one of the top two, but I believe a good player and maybe two. I don't see Markkanen or LaVine yet as that No. 1 option to build around, so they have to show as well, and they still are very young. Can you get a No. 1 in the draft? Maybe. If not in free agency, what about an ensemble and a lead like Dirk Nowitzki, who was good enough to be the best player on a title team and several close. Markkanen could be that good. If this were Year 4 I'd be more worried. There are a lot of moves still to make.

The Bulls now reportedly refuse to buy out lopez if he cant be dealt knowing he is going to the Warriors. Will garpax throw away a couple million over this fight and not buy him out since he obviously has zero trade value? Or is he the head of the "leadership council" so someone we need to play out his contract? Maybe we can do lopez a favor a favor, give him his entire salary in a buyout so we can get another extended run of felicio playing 20-30 minutes a night....need to see how his development is coming along again....or just burn that money too with asiks and jabaris and cam paynes and play carter jr 48 minutes a night?

Jake Henry

Sam: OK, you’re frustrated and needed to lash out and vent. I’ll wait a bit. OK, ready? Carter was almost out for six weeks, it seemed the other day, so what was the hurry to offload Lopez? And then he was. The Bulls late Friday said Carter actually could miss two to three months after further reevaluations of his injury by hand specialists when the team returned to Chicago. And so now perhaps surgery. Another bad break in a broken season. But more than that this is a larger issue for the NBA that it won’t face; it’s another rich get richer, and the Bulls aren’t rich now. What some top teams apparently are doing—I can’t say I know for sure the Warriors are among them—is telling agents to get their players released or bought out for a small amount and they’ll bring them in on a minimum to give them some money back and then they can add playoff money and maybe be on a title team and their team gets nothing because these teams won’t trade because they are waiting for the buyouts.

So a team like the Bulls trying to get something for a player like Lopez or Jabari Parker gets shut out and the team like maybe the Warriors or Celtics or Raptors or Rockets gets to pick up a player without giving up anything. The NBA has said it wants to level the playing field for all teams and open up trade opportunities, but this buyout period inhibits trades and discriminates most against losing teams like the Bulls trying to add a player or draft pick. The NBA should eliminate the buyout fraud period because it helps just the few top teams, and the Bulls are right to say they won’t grant a buyout because it is being used against them by the top teams to help hold them down. It baffles me why anyone would be mad at the Bulls other than maybe Lopez’ family. And since when are fans upset because the Bulls won’t be able to make more money? Talk about entering Bizarro world.

With your comments on how sloppy Gobert was and with what should be a realization that, against the better 7 foot centers, Wendell Carter may always be overmatched, I have to respond to a comment you made a couple of weeks ago regarding a player who is truly a top 3 center in the league, Nikola Jokic.

After watching him destroy Portland with a 40/10/8 performance, I think that you need to make an effort to actually watch a few Nuggets games so you can make a more informed assessment. In doing so, he totally outplayed the guy who should be the Bulls starting center, Jusuf Nurkic, who is averaging 15.2/10.2/1.36Blks in just 27 minutes per game. Jokic 19.7/10.2/7.6 with a career .356 3PT% is far more valuable to his team than any other center including Embiid. His 21 career triple doubles in 270 games places him second all time behind Wilt's 78 which, if he stays healthy until he is 30, he will eclipse.

Peggy Flynn

Sam: So why would the Bulls want Nurkic if Markkanen actually played as well as Jokic Thursday? And as one correspondent from above mentioned, it was game ball for Lopez playing against Jokic. Jokic is terrific. Yes, I did see the Nuggets play. And, unfortunately, up close Thursday. They're pretty good; if they think they are contenders, Golden State straightened that out earlier in the week. But they've built a very good team; good for them. Yes, I know, the snarky Nurkic thing is the Bulls deal to move up in the draft to take Doug McDermott. The Nuggets took Nurkic, whom they traded for Plumlee, and Gary Harris. They obviously did better, but it's only fair to judge at the time. And I know not a single Bulls fan ever wrote me asking that the Bulls please draft Nurkic. And moving up in the draft from outside the lottery to inside the lottery is always viewed as a coup and was that night. What's so great about Nos. 16 and 19? Like to have those picks again this season instead of a lottery pick? The Bulls were at least aggressive in search of talent. It didn't work out. It happens in the draft a lot. But it made sense. I still can't figure out why Doug can't make more shots.

Anyway, as for Jokic, he's really good. I agreed that. All I believed, and I still do, is he's not an MVP candidate and maybe a top 20 NBA player. Which is very good. The Bulls would like to have a top 20 player. But he's still not even been in one playoff game in his career and has been playing pro ball five or six years. It takes actually being on the winning team in one playoff game before I make someone a top 10 player and MVP candidate. He's having a terrific season. I'd still like a look at his games this spring. Get back to me then. I can be persuaded.

While I used to enjoy the three-point shot I've come to dislike them over the past five years or so as the league as gone so heavily towards them. I don't so much mind that the big man has been de-emphasized, though I wasn't rooting for that either. The NBA has always been my favorite sport/league to watch as it has the best athletes in the world, and because they're not wearing helmets or padding, you can really see that athleticism displayed every game. All the three-point shooting has reduced the number of times per game that players are attacking the hoop and thus displaying their otherworldly natural talents. Of course they still do so some, but now it seems the top goal is to draw contact and a foul and actually attempting to make the shot is just a bonus. Much like baseball has become too much about home run, strikeout or walk, basketball is too much three point shot or free throws. I may be a bit hyperbolic but the emphasis on efficiency in sports - which I understand makes sense in terms of impacting winning - is making them less aesthetically pleasing and thus less fun to watch.

Steph Curry is great and fun to watch, but in terms of his natural athletic and physical talents, where do you think he'd have stacked up in the NBA of the 80s and 90s?

Cameron Watkins

Sam: I feel like the sergeant driving the car in the MASH movie who was always grumbling, "Damn Army" about the behavior of the crazy doctors. Damn Analytics! Again! But relax, not nearly as bad as baseball. I always say great players would be great in any generation and it goes backward as well. Curry wouldn't have the freedom to roam like he does, and some coach would bench him for shooting way out there. Back then they made you throw it inside or sit down no matter how many you made in practice. But Curry is much more clever with the drive than just his shooting. He would be a player like Cleveland's Mark Price, who was a small man and great shooter and one of the best pick and roll guards I ever saw. At least before Steve Nash. Price was a great shooter and multiple all-NBA player and would have been many more if not for injuries. But playing with a seven footer in an era of great centers, his major responsibility was to make his center look better than him. That would have been the difference for Curry, who would have been an All-Star, and better than his dad, who could shoot about as well, but couldn't dribble.

What is Boylen doing with these rotations? We leaves the starters in deep each game, evidenced by the game against the Nuggets when Lavine, Dunn, and Markkanen were all on the court with 6:30 left in the 4th down 35. Also, in the beginning of the 3rd, (which is when most teams go on their run) Boylen usually keeps the starters in for the first 8 minutes with no subs, allowing the Bulls to get blown out. The lineup of Dunn, Lavine, Hutch, Markkanen, and Carter is -29 in terms of point differential. This is not something that should be happening with the talent. It's time to stop allowing the starters to continue to make mistakes and let the rest of the bench contribute, as they have recently outplayed the opponent's bench

Adam Richard

Sam: Venting, also? I've gotten plenty today. I'm not sure you want to see Selden, Harrison, Felicio and Blakeney against Denver's starters. I'm not getting as much mail asking for them to play more as much as you you may think.

Source: https://www.nba.com/bulls/news/ask-sam-mailbag-011819

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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scopenew · 3 years

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toyotarav4shop · 3 years

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Duke Dennis Biography, Height, Weight, Age, Net Worth and new Updates

The Biography of Duke Dennis is an interesting one and worth reading, the truth is that everyone has a life history from the time they came into this world up to now, their life experiences, what they have been through and what keeps them on their feet to keep doing what they know how to do best. I am privileged to look at their biographies and today I am going to share that with you. Read on to…

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wikibioz · 3 years

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Duke Dennis Bio, Height, Wiki, Affairs & Net Worth

Duke Dennis Duke Dennis is a well-known YouTuber and media star who has achieved huge success in a shorter span of time. Born on February 26, 1994, the handsome social media star Duke is widely recognized for excellent talent. Early Life & Family Duke Dennis was born on February 26, 1994, in theUnited States. There are no details about his parents. Duke does not reveal anything about his…

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buddyrabrahams · 7 years

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FBI documents show widespread payments to top college, high school players

The FBI’s extensive probe into college basketball corruption has resulted in at least three criminal investigations and could have a devastating impact across the sport in the coming months and years.

Hundreds of federal documents that were reviewed by Yahoo Sports showed just how common it is for money and impermissible benefits to be funneled to high school and collegiate athletes. Expense reports and balance sheets from former NBA agent Andy Miller, one of Miller’s associates and the ASM Sports agency appear to show that money was routinely paid to athletes and their families. One of the sheets obtained by the FBI shows accounts through the end of 2015 and has the subheading “Loans to Players.”

That sheet lists loans to several former high school and college players. The largest loan was handed out to Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr., who allegedly received as much as $73,500 in loans from ASM before and/or during when he played at North Carolina State in 2016 and 2017. The documents list “options to recoup the money” after Smith did not sign with ASM. The same is true for Brooklyn Nets guard Isaiah Whitehead, who is listed as having received $37,657 before he went on to sign with Roc Nation. No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz, who also did not sign with ASM, is listed as having received $10,000.

As Yahoo notes, the three criminal cases tied to the investigation could drag on for years. That could prevent the NCAA from being able to interview people associated with the cases and gather key information. However, top programs including Duke, North Carolina, Texas, Kentucky and Michigan State are all implicated in some way. Among the players included in the documents are current college stars like Michigan State’s Miles Bridges, Collin Sexton of Alabama and Wendell Carter of Duke.

The documents are worth skimming through just to see some of the names included and benefits provided, which include everything from dinner at Carrabba’s to tens of thousands of dollars. Tom Izzo’s name is mentioned, which is obviously a major concern given everything else that has been going on at Michigan State. While the investigations will take a while to sort through, the fallout will almost certainly be significant.

from Larry Brown Sports http://ift.tt/2CE04wD

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placetobenation · 7 years

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When the 2017 NBA Draft just a short time away, PTB’s Brian Bayless checks in with his thoughts on what could—and should—go down at the Barclays Center on Thursday.

This is a team-by-team mock draft. So, fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Memphis Grizzlies will not see their team here as they do not have picks in the draft.

ATLANTA HAWKS

1st Rd (19): C Justin Patton, Creighton

2nd Rd (41): PF Cam Oliver, Nevada

2nd Rd (60): SG Damyean Dotson, Houston

The team just traded away C Dwight Howard for pennies on the dollar and will likely lose PF Paul Millsap via free agency, so those positions need to be addressed in the draft as this team is in rebuilding mode. Patton will likely not be able to contribute as a rookie but has shown the ability to score down low in college. He also needs to gain strength. Oliver is an excellent rebounder and can knock down three-point spots and could turn into a solid starter if able to adapt as an NBA stretch power forward. Dotson is a bit old for an NBA Draft prospect (23) but can also shoot from behind the arc as the Hawks might also have to replace Tim Hardaway Jr., who could also depart via free agency.

BOSTON CELTICS

1st Rd (3): SF Jayson Tatum, Duke

2nd Rd (37): PF Ivan Rabb, California

2nd Rd (53): PF Alpha Kaba, France

2nd Rd (56): PF Isaiah Hicks, North Carolina

After trading away the No. 1 overall pick in this draft, GM Danny Ainge stated that there was a good chance the player they wanted with the original pick would be there at No. 3. At this point, I assume it’s Tatum over Josh Jackson, who has cancelled workouts for the Celtics. Tatum is a scorer that the Celtics desperately need. Its also quite possible the Celts package their picks for a star player. With three second round picks, the C’s can use that to help out their front court. Rabb’s draft stock has plummeted and there are reports that his workouts have not gone well but he can rebound and is certainly worth a shot here. He was projected as a possible lottery pick last year as a freshman. Hayes can also rebound and block shots and can bring much needed athleticism to the team’s front court. With three second-round picks, they can select an International player like Kaba as a draft-and-stash option.

BROOKLYN NETS

1st Rd (22): C Jarrett Allen, Texas

2nd Rd (57): SF Wesley Iwundu, Kansas State

The Nets are a team that should really take the best player available with their picks. Its going to be a long time before they are in a position to become competitive again. Allen would be a good value at No. 22 and with the team trading away their best player in C Brook Lopez, would have a shot to get playing time right away. Iwundu is a swingman that can defend well and has shown improvement as a shooter while in college.

CHARLOTTE HORNETS

1st Rd (11): SG Luke Kennard, Duke

2nd Rd (31): PF Caleb Swanigan, Purdue

Before trading for Dwight Howard, I had the Hornets selecting C Zach Collins in the 1st Round. Now they can address shooting with Kennard from Duke, whose stock has risen rapidly due to his impressive shooting during team workouts. Swanigan is a tough presence inside that can rebound and score. The Hornets will need to make the most of their picks as the team’s cap space is limited.

CHICAGO BULLS

1st Rd (16): SF Justin Jackson, North Carolina

2nd Rd (38): SG Tyler Dorsey, Oregon

With all of the rumors surrounding Chicago trading Jimmy Butler, there is as strong chance he will get moved. If he is moved, then I suspect they select Jackson here. If not, they can look to address the front court. with Jarrett Allen, Justin Patton, or John Collins. Dorsey can help add shooting off of the bench where the team has very little at shooting guard behind Dwyane Wade. He even played the point in college and could possibly be a combo guard for the team.

DALLAS MAVERICKS

1st Rd (9): SG Malik Monk, Dallas

The Mavericks have just one pick this draft and have holes all over their roster. They need to rebuild and have very few young pieces. Monk is one of the most explosive players in this draft and can go as high as 5th overall to the Magic in this draft. He might never be an NBA-caliber starting point guard but is a scorer. The Mavericks could also look at point guards in this draft like Ntilikina or Dennis Smith but if Monk’s still on the board then they should take him without hesitation. Zach Collins is also in play here at center.

DENVER NUGGETS

1st Rd (13): SF OG Anunoby, Indiana

2nd Rd (49): SF Jaron Blossongame, Clemson

2nd Rd (51): PG Kobi Simmons, Arizona

Anunoby might miss his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL suffered this past January but has the skill set the Nuggets need. This team has a horrible defense and Anunoby can defend four positions as well as shoot and drive to the hoop. He’s worth a gamble here, especially since this team is not in a position to contend. Blossongame is another strong defender who struggled to shoot as a senior but had been a reliable shooter the rest of his career. With Emmanuel Mudiay looking like a bust the team can stand to improve its point guard situation. Simmons has potential but struggles to shoot and might have to settle as a combo guard in the pros.

DETROIT PISTONS

1st Rd (12): PG Dennis Smith, North Carolina State

Smith could be a huge steal here. This is not the biggest need for the Pistons but I also do not see Reggie Jackson finishing the year with this team. Smith can get to the hoop as good as anyone in this draft class and is getting better as a three-point shooter but can be erratic at times. They could also look at center if they deal Andre Drummond with Zach Collins being an option if he is still on the board. They also have to get better shooting from behind the arc and that makes Luke Kennard an option too.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

2nd Rd (43): SF Dillon Brooks, Oregon

2nd Rd (45): C Anzejs Pasecniks, Latvia

The Rockets need front court depth more than anything else but it will be tough to come by here. Pasecniks apparently impressed scouts during a workout in Los Angeles with his athleticism and could be a nice draft-and-stash option for the team as he will need to improve his defense and add strength to play in the NBA. Brooks can score and had a really good collegiate career. Its not the biggest position of need but the team does have Trevor Ariza and Lou Williams as free agents at the end of this coming season and its doubtful both of them will be retained. The only question about Brooks is what position will he play in the pros as he might end up a defensive liability.

INDIANA PACERS

1st Rd (18): PF John Collins, Wake Forest

2nd Rd (47): SG Sterling Brown, SMU

This team is very likely having to prepare for life without Paul George. Collins fills a need at power forward although the team could also consider someone like TJ Leaf here. The team also needs help in the backcourt and will have to likely do that in the second round. Brown was an efficient shooter in college and defended the perimeter well although the only question with him is will his lack of athleticism hurt him in the pros. Replacing point guard Jeff Teague if he departs will likely have to be done via free agency.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

1st Rd (2): PG Lonzo Ball, UCLA

1st Rd (27): C Tony Bradley, North Carolina

1st Rd (28): PF Isaiah Hartenstein, Germany

Ball seems like the obvious choice here provided the pick is not traded away. Although, the Lakers have been coy about their plans here and could end up taking Josh Jackson or another point guard in De’Aaron Fox. Its also been reported they love Markelle Fultz but will likely have to trade up to get him at #1. The team already dealt away D’Angelo Russell and needs someone to facilitate the offense. The front court needs a lot of help too. Despite acquiring Brook Lopez, he is a free agent after this season and the trade seemed designed to create cap space to sign Paul George next season meaning he is likely not a long-term solution. Bradley is agile with upside while Hartenstein is a skilled big man who they can stash away in Germany for a year or two.

MIAMI HEAT

1st Rd (14): C Zach Collins, Gonzaga

With one pick in this draft the Heat can look to address the front court, which really lacks depth. I see Collins going as early as #9 to Dallas here but I think he would be the pick for Heat if still on the board. He should be able to pair up nicely with Hassan Whiteside. If Dion Waiters leaves via free agency then they can look at a replacement with Donovan Mitchell as an intriguing option if available.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

1st Rd (17): C Bam Adebayo, Kentucky

2nd Rd (48): SF Semi Ojeleye, SMU

The team re-signed Greg Monroe but still needs a physical presence in the post. Adebayo came on late this season for Kentucky and has a lot of upside plus the ability to become an excellent rebounder in the NBA. If not Adebayo they can consider other players like John Collins or even a stretch four player like TJ Leaf and Kyle Kuzma. Ojeleye is one of the better shooters in the draft but offers little else. Still, you need shooters in today’s NBA and Milwaukee is lacking in this area.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

1st Rd (7): PF Lauri Markkanen, Arizona

The Timberwolves have some young pieces to build around. However, there bench was a major weakness so taking the best player available might be the way to go with the 7th overall pick. There are reports that the team wants Markkanen and he would fit in well with the team. The team also could go for a guard, with Malik Monk, Dennis Smith, and Frank Ntilikina as options too. Monk would be a great scoring option for the team off the bench.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

2nd Rd (40): SG Josh Hart, Villanova

This team needs a lot of help in the back court. Hart has the chance to contribute right away with his ability to shoot and defend. He could start for this team at some point as a rookie due to their lack of depth. Other wing players like Semi Ojeleye, Dwayne Bacon, and Wesley Iwundu are options too.

NEW YORK KNICKS

1st Rd (8): PG Frank Ntilikina, France

2nd Rd (44): SF Devin Robinson, Florida

2nd Rd (58): SG Sindarius Thornwell, South Carolina

This team needs a point guard and rumors are floating around that Ntilikina is who they are targeting. He also has the skill set that can help him run the triangle offense. Malik Monk and Dennis Smith are other possibilities too. They also need help on the wing and on defense. Carmelo Anthony is not getting any younger and they have little else behind him.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

1st Rd (21): SG Terrance Ferguson, Australia

Surrounding Russell Westbrook with talent is the top priority with this team. Ferguson is one of the top shooters in the draft and could be a great value here. Andre Roberson is a free agent and Victor Oladipo seems lost on this team. A stretch four could fit with this pick too with TJ Leaf as another candidate.

ORLANDO MAGIC

1st Rd (6): SF/PF Jonathan Issac, Florida State

1st Rd (25): PG/SG Frank Jackson, Duke

2nd Rd (33): SF/PF Alec Peters, Valparaiso

2nd Rd (35): PG Frank Mason, Kansas

The Magic really need to improve their offense. Isaac is similar to another former Magic player in Rashard Lewis. He’s athletic and can score inside and out. Adding strength is a must though but he does have a ton of upside. It does not seem like this team is sold of Elfrid Payton given the inconsistent playing time he received over the season so adding a pair of guards in Jackson and Mason helps if they decide to trade him or even if he stays as both are good on offense. Peters is a forward that can shoot but could also prove to be a liability on defense. Other first round choices are Malik Monk and Lauri Markkanen or a point guard.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

1st Rd (1): PG Markelle Fultz, Washington

2nd Rd (36): PF Jordan Bell, Oregon

2nd Rd (39): PG Monte Morris, Iowa State

2nd Rd (46): PF Mathias Lessort, France

2nd Rd (50): SF Tyler Lydon, Syracuse

Fultz appears to be the top choice in this draft. He could help from a solid nucleus with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Plus, I do not see how someone like Ball would fit in well with Simmons on the court as both are not good shooters. Even with Fultz, they could still use more help at the point where Morris can end up a steady backup in the league as he is lauded for having a high basketball IQ. The team does not seem to want Jahlil Okafor as part of their future plans and he did disappoint last season so Bell can replace him. The team can stash Lessort in France for a year and Lydon is a shooter, something the 76ers need to improve as they head into the future.

PHOENIX SUNS

1st Rd (4): SF Josh Jackson, Kansas

2nd Rd (32): PF Jonathan Motley, Baylor

2nd Rd (54): C Eric Mika, BYU

If Jackson is off the board then the Suns will likely take Jayson Tatum. Jackson would be a good value for the Suns, whose biggest position of need is at small forward. He would pair up nicely with Devin Booker. If the team decides to deal Eric Bledsoe they can look to draft a point guard such as De’Aaron Fox or Lonzo Ball if he manages to slip to the 4th pick. Motley is an athletic power forward and Mika is a rebounder and seven-footer as the team might have to look for a replacement for Alex Len.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

1st Rd (15): PF Harry Giles, Duke

1st Rd (20): PF Kyle Kuzma, Utah

1st Rd (26): PG Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State

With three first round picks and limited cap space due to a lot of bad free agent signing last season, the team will likely have to address it needs through this draft, although I do not see them keeping all three picks. They could trade up and take someone like Jonathan Isaac. Giles is a wild card as he was one of the top prospects heading into college last season but missed games due to knee issues and struggled when he played. He’s worth a gamble with the 15th pick. Kuzma is a forward that can play both spots and can shoot, which will help this team. With nothing behind Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in the backcourt, Evans can give them a good ball-handler coming off of the bench. The team could also use the 26th pick on Jonah Bolden and stash him overseas.

SACRAMENTO KINGS

1st Rd (5): PG De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky

1st Rd (10): SG Donovan Mitchell, Louisville

2nd Rd (34): SF/PF Jonah Bolden, Australia

The Kings have young talent in the front court but need help everywhere else. With one of the 1st round picks the Kings will address the point guard positions as it appears Darren Collison will depart via free agency. Fox seems like a solid choice here at #5 but if Jayson Tatum or Josh Jackson are still on the board then I figure they’ll select one of them and hope a point guard like Frank Ntilikina or Dennis Smith is around at #10. Mitchell can help at shooting guard and chance to become a lockdown defender, which will be needed with the strong guard play in the Western Conference. Bolden is a versatile forward with potential who can play overseas for another year before coming over.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

1st Rd (29): PG Derrick White, Colorado

2nd Rd (59): PF Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin

Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are shells of their former selves and need to be replaced. White is a bit old (22) for a draft prospect but was effective and can shoot and distribute the basketball. Even if they get Chris Paul another point guard would be needed. Hayes is athletic with a giant wingspan that could carve out a nice bench role for the Spurs.

TORONTO RAPTORS

1st Rd (23): PF DJ Wilson, Michigan

With just one pick the Raptors can fill a need at three-point shooting and at the stretch four position with Wilson, who had a strong performance in this year’s NCAA Tournament. With both Patrick Patterson and Serge Ibaka free agents, its doubtful both of them will be retained. If Wilson gets tougher and adds strength he could end up being a steal here.

UTAH JAZZ

1st Rd (24): PF TJ Leaf, UCLA

1st Rd (30): C Ike Anigbogu, UCLA

2nd Rd (42): PG Edmond Sumner, Xavier

2nd Rd (55): SF/PF Aleksandar Vezenkov, Bulgaria

Getting a stretch four like Leaf fits this team well. They can settle for a point guard in the second round with someone like Sumner, who would have likely been a late lottery pick if not for tearing his ACL this past January. If he comes back from that injury the Jazz could have a steal. Anigbogu provides depth behind Rudy Gobert where the team does not have too much behind him. They can stash Vezenkov overseas since they have four picks in this draft, although I would not be surprised to see them make a trade.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

1st Rd (52): SG/SF Dwayne Bacon, Florida State

The Wizards are a team with a very poor bench. With one pick at the back end of the second round they should just take the best player available. Bacon is an athletic wing and that position will be in even more need if Otto Porter departs via free agency. Finding a potential backup point guard can be considered here with this pick too seeing how Brandon Jennings and Trey Burke failed in that role.

#IFTTT #Place to Be Nation

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junker-town · 7 years

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NBA mock draft 2017: Finding the best player available for every team

This mock draft is presented by BPA — best player available.

This mock draft might as well be a big board. After drafting for fit in last week’s mock, this time we’re going with the “best player available” for every team in the first round. It’s resulted in a dramatic change from how the board broke last week.

The biggest difference in this mock from last week? The rise of the big men. While traditional bigs plummeted when we were looking for fit, they shot up the board while searching for the best player available. Creighton’s Justin Patton rises to No. 16 from No. 29 while Wake Forest’s John Collins checks in at No. 19 after sliding to No. 28 a week ago.

It’s going to be fascinating to see what happens to all these bigs especially after an NBA Finals series that had Kevin Durant and LeBron James playing center at times. We’ll know soon enough: we’re now less than two weeks away from the draft.

1. Boston Celtics - Markelle Fultz, G, Washington

You can expect a fresh wave of rumors about Boston’s trade options with the No. 1 pick as the draft approaches, but it would be a shock if the Celtics don’t walk away with Fultz. This is one of the best backcourt prospects in a long time: a big guard who can score from all three levels and plays with a rare creativity.

My guess is that Fultz’s role next year will be as a microwave scorer off the bench. He’s talented enough to put up a few 30-point games as a rookie and give Celtics fans a glimpse of their future. Long-term, I’d expect him to be one of the best guards in the league. If the Celtics can hit the jackpot again with the Nets’ pick next year, they could really start to build something special.

2. Los Angeles Lakers - Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA

The Lakers won’t pass on Lonzo Ball, will they? It’s possible, but ultimately I think Ball’s combination of shooting ability, vision, and feel for the game gives him the edge over Josh Jackson and De’Aaron Fox.

Ball is a hard player to evaluate simply because we haven’t seen many players like him before. He’s not great in the pick-and-roll and his wonky shot motion prevents him from shooting off the dribble going right. Ball still dominated the college level despite all that, transforming a listless UCLA program into the best show in the country. Steph Curry and Draymond Green didn’t fit into a box either. They turned out alright.

3. Philadelphia 76ers - Josh Jackson, SG/SF, Kansas

If I’m a Sixers fan, I’m praying Ball falls to No. 3 (it’s worth noting actual Sixers fans do not feel this way). Assuming he’s gone, Jackson feels like the next best pick. A lot will be made of Jackson’s shortcomings as a shooter when discussing his potential fit with Ben Simmons, but what I like about him is his unselfishness. Philly already has a certified stud in Joel Embiid and another potential one in Simmons. I don’t want to draft a perimeter player that’s going to take a bunch of shots away from those two. Jackson won’t. He has high basketball IQ, impressive passing ability, and just always seems to make the right play. When you factor in his ability to defend, he’s the third best player in this draft to me.

4. Phoenix Suns - Jonathan Isaac, F, Florida State

The truth is that players No. 4 through No. 10 in this mock can be rearranged however you want. I’m giving Isaac the edge because a) he’s the biggest, and b) he has the highest defensive potential.

I see Isaac as a full-time four who can play spot minutes at the five rather than a three. At small forward, his handle and shot would be more of a question mark. In the front court, he can focus on becoming a monster defensively who can switch every screen, while also serving as a spot-up shooter on offense who primarily takes open looks when the defense collapses on someone else. Some will criticize Isaac for a lack of assertiveness after only averaging eight shots per game at Florida State, but I want a player who plays well with others rather than someone looking to get his. He should fit in well within a team dynamic in the NBA from day one as his skill set continues to develop.

5. Sacramento Kings - Dennis Smith Jr., PG, NC State

The case for Dennis Smith over De’Aaron Fox: Smith averaged more points, assists, rebounds, and steals per game, and he’s also a better outside shooter. He doesn’t have Fox’s straight-line speed (no one does), but he’s even more explosive attacking the rim. The truth is that Smith’s college situation at NC State did him no favors. The Wolfpack fired coach Mark Gottfried in the middle of the year, missed the NCAA tournament, and never gave Smith a national stage to play on. He’s a little short at 6’2, but I’d expect him to be a productive pro for a long time.

6. Orlando Magic - Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke

I wouldn’t be surprised if there are multiple teams with Tatum at No. 2 on their overall board. He’s a big wing with classic go-to scoring ability. At this point, he’s most comfortable getting buckets out of the high post, but he’s also only 19 years old. His three-point shot looks pretty good and it’s a safe bet to assume NBA range will come in time. I just don’t know how much better he’s going to make his teammates. A player like Isaac seems more malleable in a team situation.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves - Malik Monk, G, Kentucky

Monk vs. Fox is a fun debate because they’re the exact same size with completely opposite games. My case for Monk: he’s significantly better as a shooter, flashed some potential as a playmaker, and is just as much of a stud athletically. And yes, I’m well aware it’s highly likely Fox makes this take look extremely bad in a few years.

8. New York Knicks - De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky

My thing with Fox: how good can a point guard be in the modern NBA if he really can’t shoot? Now, it’s possible Fox makes major strides as a shooter as his pro career goes on. He hit 74 percent of his free throws in college and his form doesn’t look totally broken. Mike Conley is a popular comparison for him and Conley certainly improved considerably as a shooter since entering the league from Ohio State. Fox also profiles as a hard-working, high-character player who should get better. I just can’t get past that shaky jump shot for now.

9. Dallas Mavericks - Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona

Fox at No. 8 and Markkanen at No. 9 shows just how strong this draft is within the top 10. I think Markkanen is a much better prospect than the No. 9 overall pick from two years ago: Charlotte’s Frank Kaminsky. Consider that Kaminsky hit 42 threes at a 41.6 percent clip in his breakout senior season for Wisconsin two years ago. Markkanen just drained 69 threes at a 42.3 percent clip as a freshman. Markkanen would be an elite shooter at any position, but getting it out of a legit seven-footer makes him worthy of a top-10 pick.

10. Sacramento Kings - Frank Ntilikina, PG, France

Ntilikina is a super long 6’5 point guard from France who projects as a 3-&-D ball handler in the mold of George Hill. There are a lot of teams who could use that type of player right now. If he reaches his ceiling, I envision Sixers fans complaining that the Colangelos should have just taken him at No. 3.

11. Charlotte Hornets - Donovan Mitchell, G, Louisville

I like the Avery Bradley comp for Mitchell: he’s short for a two-guard (6’3), but he’s a mega athlete, a ferocious defender, and has some potential as a shooter and creator.

12. Detroit Pistons - Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga

The ideal center in the modern game can protect the rim, make threes, and hang with a guard on the perimeter out of the pick-and-roll. I’ll give Collins the first two. His shooting stroke looked promising in a relatively small sample (10 made threes at 47.6 percent) and he also blocked 69 shots in just 17.2 minutes per game. I think it’s fair to question his ability to guard the perimeter. Some scouts also worry that he’s not a “next play guy,” meaning he too easily gets down on himself after he screws up.

13. Denver Nuggets - OG Anunoby, F, Indiana

Anunoby’s breakout came when he smothered Jamal Murray in the 2016 NCAA tournament. Given how good Murray looked for the Nuggets as a rookie, that’s an encouraging performance. Unfortunately, Anunoby didn’t make the jump many expected this past season at Indiana, which ultimately ended with a torn ACL. Still, this is a big, strong, and long defensive prospect who should be able to defend at least three positions in the NBA. He’s worth a late lotto pick.

14. Miami Heat - Jarrett Allen, C, Texas

Allen is a mega long (7’5 wingspan) and quick center who could develop into a rock on defense and a capable putbacks/o-boards/lobs guy on offense. I don’t see him developing his perimeter offensive game much beyond that. He ended the year as only a 56.4 percent free throw shooters went 0-for-7 from three, and had 84 turnovers to just 27 assists.

15. Portland Trail Blazers - Justin Jackson, SG, North Carolina

It’s hard to hate on Jackson too much after what he did in his junior year at UNC. He finally blossomed as a three-point shooter (105 makes at 37 percent) and shut down Malik Monk on defense in the Elite Eight. He’s also by far the oldest potential lottery pick this year and isn’t that athletic or that great of a shooter. I like him more if he can defend shooting guards rather than small forwards.

16. Chicago Bulls - D.J. Wilson, F, Michigan

Wilson was a late bloomer who finally put it all together at the end of last season for Michigan. There’s a lot to like about his tools: 6’10 with a 7’3 wingspan, he’s a combo forward who can handle the ball and shoot from deep on offense while providing some measure of rim protection on defense. He feels like one of the biggest boom-or-bust guys in this draft, but someone will talk themselves into his tools.

17. Milwaukee Bucks - Ike Anigbogu, C, UCLA

Everyone’s favorite comp for Anigbogu is Rockets center Clint Capela. Capela is pretty good! If you can get a similar player at No. 17 in this draft, he’s worth the pick.

18. Indiana Pacers - Luke Kennard, SG, Duke

luke kennard wore PG 1s to his workout with the Pacers lol

— Whitney Medworth (@its_whitney) June 6, 2017

I’m sold.

19. Atlanta Hawks - Justin Patton, C, Creighton

Patton is just starting to scratch the surface of his offensive skill. He has a developing shooting stroke, showed a little bit of a handle, and has the quick hands and quick feet required to make an impact on defense.

20. Portland Trail Blazers - Harry Giles, C, Duke

Giles is a medical decision at this point. He’s had two major knee injuries and a third operation just before the start of his freshman season at Duke. If he can regain the form he showed as a recruit, No. 20 is way too low.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder - Terrance Ferguson, SG, Adelaide (NBL)

On paper, there’s a lot to like about Terrance Ferguson. He has great size for a two guard at 6’6, he’s super athletic, and he can get hot from three-point range, as shown by the six threes he hit in last year’s Nike Hoop Summit. The game just seems to move a little too fast for him sometimes. The key will be continuing to improve his decision making.

22. Brooklyn Nets - Rodions Kurucs, SF, Latvia

I am but a lowly college basketball guy, so I can’t tell you much about Kurucs. I do know he’s a 6’8 wing who looks fluid athletically with a developing three-point shot. Here, watch a highlight video instead:

youtube

23. Toronto Raptors - Anzejs Pasecniks, C, Latvia

I’m just going to leave this here:

Anzejs Pasecniks does not move like your typical 7'3 guy. Showing very impressive stuff here at his Pro Day. http://pic.twitter.com/BU2VZBzQlG

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 3, 2017

24. Utah Jazz - Semi Ojeleye, F, SMU

Ojeleye committed to Duke out of high school and decided to leave for SMU midway through the Blue Devils’ championship run in 2015. He was unstoppable this year for the Mustangs, averaging 19 points per game and winning conference player of the year in the American. He’s unfathomably jacked, he can score from all three levels, and he had a 40-inch vertical. His quickness is his biggest question mark.

25. Orlando Magic - T.J. Leaf, PF, UCLA

Leaf led UCLA in scoring as a freshman by shooting 61.7 percent from the floor and 46.6 percent from three. He’s a 6’10 stretch four who could draw comparisons to Ryan Anderson.

26. Portland Trail Blazers - John Collins, PF, Wake Forest

Collins was basically the most efficient player in college basketball this past season. He’s an automatic scorer on the interior and a great rebounder on both ends of the floor. The problem is he doesn’t have much shooting range and he struggles defensively. He reminds me a bit of Enes Kanter — not bad, considering Kanter is an $80 million player in this league.

27. Brooklyn Nets - Isaiah Hartenstein, C, Germany

Let’s just quote what DraftExpress said here after watching him at April’s Nike Hoop Summit:

Hartenstein has developed the reputation as a 7-footer who can space the floor and attack from the perimeter but after a week in Portland he showed his initial value may be more as a hard-playing, 250-pound big who can make his presence felt on the glass and play with activity defensively as his offensive skill set continues to develop. Hartenstein may very well turn into a threat from NBA three down the road, but he showed that he has quite a bit of room to improve in that regard. His overall skill set offensively could use some polishing. With that said, Hartenstein has NBA tools to fall back on at 7' 1 with a great frame and impressive mobility. - Source:

28. Los Angeles Lakers - Tyler Lydon, PF, Syracuse

Like T.J. Leaf, Lydon is a 6’10 shooter who is a solid rebounder and wants to prove that he’s more athletic than his rep suggests. How would we view Leaf vs. Lydon if Lydon was the one playing with Lonzo Ball every night?

29. San Antonio Spurs - Kyle Kuzma, PF, Utah

A versatile 6’9 forward who shined at the draft combine in Chicago. If his jump shot is for real (he hit 32 percent from deep last year), he can have a long career.

30. Utah Jazz - Derrick White, SG, Colorado

White has a complete skill set for a guard. He can score, facilitate, and hold his own defensively. Just ask Arizona: White hung 31 points, six rebounds, and five assists on the Wildcats in the Pac-12 tournament.

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