NBA
LeBron Gone?
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I’m not going to lie to you, the NBA has been difficult to watch for the last few years. It started in 2010 when LeBron James took his talents to South Beach to form a super team. It almost becomes a forgone conclusion of who the best team is before the season begins.
Kevin Durant followed the same plan and joined Golden State in 2016. As you may remember, the Warriors were 73-9 the season before Durant joined. Golden State is clearly the best team in the NBA and I cannot imagine anyone beating them.
We do have some interesting developments in the Eastern Conference this season though. Since the 2010 season, LeBron has terrorized the East and played in 7 consecutive NBA Finals. He has always had a great supporting cast around him after his first stint in Cleveland.
We finally saw that change last summer when Kyrie Erving requested a trade, which was extremely unexpected. Once he went to Boston, it felt like the balance of power shifted in the East. It’s scary to think that two of their best players, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward are not playing the rest of the season due to injuries.
The Cavs struggled through the season with a 50-32 record and they were the 4th seed in the East. They looked very inconsistent all year, so I did not expect much from them in the playoffs. They swept the No. 1 seed Toronto Raptors in the second round so it appeared as if they were peaking at the right time.
In Game 1 in Boston the Celtics dominated from the opening tip, winning 108-83. Celtics forward Marcus Morris started his first game this post season and he had to guard James. Morris surprisingly outplayed LeBron and held him relatively in check.
Morris scored 21 points and added 10 rebounds while forcing James into a playoff-high 7 turnovers and a playoff-low 15 points.
“I have zero level of concern at this stage,” said James, who was 5 for 16 from the floor and missed all five 3-point attempts.
“I’ve been down before in the postseason, but for me there’s never any level of concern — no matter how bad I played tonight, with seven turnovers, how inefficient I was shooting the ball,” he said. “We have another opportunity to be better as a ball club coming in Tuesday night, and we’ll see what happens.”
King James is right to stay calm after the blowout loss in Game 1. Realistically I can’t foresee things getting much better for the Cavs. I know they will play better at home but the Celtics overall are a better team even though they are going up against the best player in the game.
Jaylen Brown scored 23 points and Al Horford had 20 for Boston. The leading scorer for Cleveland was Kevin Love with 17 points and he was only the second player on the team with double figures.
It’s ironic to think that LeBron’s first term in Cleveland ended with a playoff loss to the Celtics. When it happens again this year he will leave for a second time.
New Lead Hawk
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
A 24-48 season will have consequences. Some positive, like a decent shot at the number one draft pick. Many negatives too, like parting ways with coaches and grouchy fans and the fact that you’ve only won 24 games, which is very bad.
The Atlanta Hawks just suffered through such a season and head coach Mike Budenholzer departed on April 25th (though admittedly, he seemed ready to go anyway. Though a 55 win season likely would have incentivized him to stay).
It was the first season since the 2006-07 campaign, in which the Hawks failed to make the playoffs and afterwards the Hawks have begun the process of rebuilding. So, the question became who would lead Atlanta through the lean times ahead?
Now there is an answer to that question and the answer is Lloyd Pierce.
Atlanta locked up the 76ers assistant coach to a three-year deal on Friday. He’ll be tasked with leading the team’s young contingent through the ups and downs of an NBA season.
It should be a good fit, as prior to his work in Philly Pierce worked in player development for the Cavaliers and Grizzlies.
Core players for the Hawks Dennis Schroder and Taurean Waller-Prince are only 24 years old and there should be a several good young players joining them after the draft. The Hawks will select 4 of the first 33 players.
The Hawks have a plan to get young and unpolished, so a coach with a background of molding players was going to be important and Atlanta believes they have found that with Pierce.
Pierce’s first job in the NBA was that gig in Cleveland, where a young man named LeBron James enjoyed working with him so much that that he continued to work with him (and brought Dwyane Wade along with him) during the NBA lockout in 2011.
He moved from Cleveland to a short stint with the Golden State Warriors, (stunted by that same lockout) where then Director of Player Personnel for Golden State (and current Hawks GM) Travis Schlenk got a look at him for the first time.
The Hawks will be bad next year. They have broken their team down and are completely rebuilding. Schlenk will need to trust Pierce’s wisdom and guidance because the record will be ugly. However, he’ll be aiming to get results in other areas.
The players will need to trust Pierce as they navigate what will be a tough season for them. If they can batten down the hatches and try to work on becoming complete players instead of getting caught up in wins, losses and stats, they’ll have a chance to evolve into a decent unit. Again, it won’t be right away.
That will also be important for the Hawks faithful to realize. They should already be prepped for a down year but take this hiring as a good step.
Don’t take this hiring as a sign that the Hawks are going to surprise the league because their coach works well with young talent.
Pierce’s expertise is in developing talent, not flipping switches from “rookie” to “all-star.” Patience will be key.
That being said, this is an exciting hire – not really because of what will come of it in the first year, but instead of what might come of it in the third.
Breaking The Circle
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Watching the NBA Playoffs recently has reminded me a lot of the “Twilight” movies; you sit through an awful lot of predictable scenarios and boredom, just praying that the end will justify the means.
The last three years haven’t felt much like the playoffs as much as a long, drawn out coronation to the inevitable; a Cleveland/Golden State finals. This year, for a variety reasons, has been different.
For one, a Cavs/Warriors finals matchup for the fourth year in a row seems about as likely as Bella ever choosing Jacob over Edward.
Golden State has looked great so far but with Houston waiting in the wings, the Warriors are anything but a sure thing to make it to the finals.
Meanwhile, Eastern Conference is completely wide open and out of the four remaining teams, Cleveland is probably the least likely team to win the conference.
Not only has the open field added a little more excitement to the playoffs, but there are a plethora of storylines that are just as intriguing as the next.
You have a young Philadelphia team, that may have the most talent remaining in the East, and they are enjoyable to watch, both on and off the court. For the love of God, I think they’ve even made JJ Redick….likeable.
There’s Brad Stevens and the job he’s doing with Boston. He has the Celtics winning with Al Horford and bunch of talented players that aren’t old enough to rent a car. Stevens is showing not only is he one of the best young coaches in the league, but he’s one of the best, period. (On a side note, I’m not sure I’ve ever been more excited about a second round matchup than I am about this Boston/Philadelphia one.)
The Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell is putting up numbers for a rookie that literally have not been seen in 30 years. This is a guy who just last year was told by his college coach, Rick Pitino, that he wasn’t ready for the NBA. I guess Pitino didn’t like that Mitchell was more of a Nike guy? I don’t know.
Oklahoma City, Utah’s first round opponent, was even fun to watch, but for a completely different reason.
Then, of course, you have LeBron playing some of the best basketball of his career. People joke around about how far LeBron could make it in the playoffs if it was just him and four guys from the local YMCA. I had no idea Cleveland would take it to heart and actually see what would happen.
And don’t forget whether or not Toronto can overcome the mental hurdle of getting past Cleveland, or if Houston’s style of play can sustain itself throughout the course of the playoffs.
Like I said, it’s one great storyline after another.
Then again, all the great headlines and Finals possibilities don’t mean a thing if the games aren’t good. Up to this point, most of the games have been extremely compelling. Even the ones that haven’t necessarily been great have at least had something else happen that added a little extra excitement to the night.
If you haven’t watched the NBA playoffs for the past few years, I don’t blame you. However, if you haven’t been watching them this year, you need to. They’ve been everything the NBA could possibly have hoped they would be.
Basically, they’ve been the equivalent of “Twilight”, you know, if they took out everything but the Anna Kendrick scenes.
Budenholzer Bailing?
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Sometimes the signs are so subtle that you don’t know what’s happening until it’s too late; when you look back afterwards then you see the signs were there all along.
Other times the signs are more blatant and, in your face, much like your Italian mother’s slap across the face after you tell her your friend’s Ragu spaghetti sauce is better than her homemade one.
When I saw that Mike Budenholzer was a candidate for the Phoenix Suns head coaching vacancy some of those signs that I had maybe overlooked over the past couple of years started to come to the forefront.
For one, Budenholzer is from that part of the country, so it makes sense that if a coaching vacancy opened up that would take him back to that area, he would be interested.
Secondly, there has been quite a bit of turnover and change within the Hawks organization over the last couple of years and I could see how that would wear on a head coach.
Throw in the fact that Atlanta is obviously in rebuilding mode and you understand why Budenholzer had interest. (I know Phoenix is in rebuilding mode also, but the lure of going back to his home area has the potential to be a more attractive offer than Atlanta).
That said, now that Budenholzer has withdrawn his name from the Phoenix job and is interviewing for the New York Knicks head-coaching position there’s nothing subtle about it; he wants out of Atlanta. Or is at least doing everything under his power to make it seem that way.
Looking at this from Budenholzer’s point of view, unless the Knicks are going to throw an insane amount of money at him, I’m not sure he’s going to be better off in New York. I mean it’s not like the Knicks are an up-and-coming team, loaded with young talent.
You could almost argue that Atlanta is in better shape, when it comes to their roster. Plus, as much turmoil as the Hawks organization has been in over the last couple of years the Knicks are even worse. It’s almost as if the entire Knicks organization is being run by Nets’ fans.
If I’m Atlanta, however, I’m probably hoping he gets the next job. When you are looking at rebuilding you not only need a coach that can relate to the younger players, but you also need someone who’s going to be there for the long-haul. I imagine Hawks fans have to feel like their team is being viewed like a mid-major/steppingstone, as a means to a better job.
Plus, as a head coach one of your objectives is to have everyone on your team buy into your philosophy and vision, as well as look at you as a leader. When you have shown an interest in two separate jobs within a 10-day period- neither of which are a step up from your present position- it’s kind of difficult to inspire that confidence and loyalty with players who are currently on the team, or a free agent that may be interested in joining.
Budenholzer is a good coach, who really has done a terrific job in Atlanta. But, Hawks players and fans deserve a coach who wants to be there, to see this rebuilding process to through to the end; not someone who just gave them a proverbial “slap to the face” that any Italian mother would be proud of.
No Magic In Orlando
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I’m starting to think the Orlando Magic hate me.
It’s nothing I can physically prove, but there have been signs. For instance, three years ago I wrote very favorably about the hiring of Scott Skiles. After one year, no more Skiles. (Yes, I know he resigned, but you don’t leave a job like that if you’re happy).
Then, following the Skiles resignation, I thought Orlando made a great decision bringing in Frank Vogel. Two years later, bon voyage, Frank. At this point I’m so hesitant to write anything positive about whomever they hire next, it could be Gregg Popovich and my reaction would be, “Eh, is that really the right move?”
I understand letting Vogel go, even if I don’t necessarily agree with it. Not only has it been six years since Orlando made the playoffs- only Phoenix and Sacramento have longer droughts- but until this past season they had finished dead last in the Eastern Conference each of the previous five.
Oh, and just to be clear, the only reason the Magic weren’t last this season is because they finished one game ahead of an Atlanta Hawks team trying to tank so badly I’m pretty sure they would’ve started Jackie Moon, if he were an actual person.
Plus, Vogel was hired by the previous regime and I’m sure Jeff Weltman (President is Basketball Operations) and John Hammond (General Manager)- both hired prior to this past season- want to bring in their own guy.
So, with Orlando on the verge of hiring their fifth head coach since 2012, how attractive is the job?
Talent wise, it’s kind of mixed bag. There is enough young talent- Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, and Jonathan Isaac are all 25 or younger- for it to be appealing, but none of those look to be a bonafide star.
In a league that is predicated on stars, that’s a bit of a problem. Depending on who Orlando is able to get in the upcoming draft that stigma could change.
Still it’s hard to get too excited about a roster that was one game away from finishing in last place for the sixth straight year. Basically, Orlando has just enough talent to have expectations that could get you fired.
The additions of Weltman and Hammond do bring some cache, which I imagine would be appealing to a potential candidate. Both gentlemen are coming off successful rebuilds (Toronto and Milwaukee, respectively) and have good reputations around the league.
That alone may allow the franchise to get a higher caliber of coach than they would have, otherwise.
Of course, you can’t discount the fact that it’s Orlando and there is no state tax, either. The sunshine and extra money in the pocket is never a bad thing.
Overall, the Magic job isn’t a bad one, as long as management makes some smart personnel decisions and allows the head coach time to succeed; neither of which has been taking place recently.
If I had to guess, Orlando will hire a current NBA assistant coach, with no head coaching experience, who has a reputation for developing young talent. It’s a cheaper avenue to take as opposed to rehiring someone that has NBA head coaching experience or going after a highly touted college coach. At this point, coaching isn’t as much of a concern as bringing in talent.
That said, regardless of what direction they decide to take, there’s one thing for certain- whatever I think of the hire, the exact opposite will happen. Here’s hoping for my disapproval.
Atlanta Hawks Rebuild
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It was ugly. We can say that without hesitation. The Atlanta Hawks had an ugly season – but not one without lessons learned.
The team is now clearly leaning into a rebuilding stage, which means there are better days ahead, but they may be a bit further ahead than fans would like.
Still, there were positives from the season; like the emergence of John Collins, who at the age of 20 and in his first season after being drafted 19th in 2017 immediately made an impact on the Hawks.
He wasn’t seen as an immediate starter and indeed began the year on the bench but his quality play forced the Hawks’ hand (wing?) and put up numbers that surpassed the top of his draft class (looking at you, Lonzo Ball). He’s young but he’s already proven to be ready to contribute in a big way.
That being said, the Hawks were a pretty terrible offensive team this past season, coming in at 25th in points per game. All but one player on the team shot for an average of less than 15 points per game, something that needs to change as quickly as possible – possibly in the draft, which we’ll get to.
Schroder is the only player on the Hawks that can score the ball consistently. He averaged 19.4 points per game in 67 games this season. However, it is obvious that he is not a future superstar and number-one option for an NBA team. He would complement a superstar very well, but he cannot carry a franchise on his own.
He is, however, not the LeBron of Atlanta. He’s a good player, but his talents should be used to supplement someone who can be counted on as the number one go-to guy on the court. It doesn’t have to be a big-name star.
The Hawks succeeded in a big way without one just a few short years ago but they need someone in the role of shot maker.
That guy exists someone in the draft, the Hawks just need to be savvy enough to find him and snatch him up.
Now we look ahead to the offseason, which brings with it plenty of intrigue and promise. With three first-round picks in the draft and a fourth waiting at the top of the second round, there is a very good chance (barring some pick-trading) that the Atlanta roster will look mightily different come the start of next season later this year.
There are returning players who may serve as the foundation for these picks to build around: Schroder, Kent Bazemore, Taruean Prince and Collins.
Bazmore will look to return to the court healthy after being shut down in March.
There also might be potential changes on the sidelines, as the Hawks have granted head coach Mike Budenholzer permission to interview with the Milwaukee Bucks for their open coaching position. He could be potentially be competing for the job with Doc Rivers, so nothing is certain at this point despite his impressive resume.
In addition to the four top-level picks coming their way, the Hawks also have some financial freedom this offseason. They only have $56 million in guaranteed dollars on the books for 2018-2019, not including Dewayne Dedmon’s player option, among others.
After a tough season, the Hawks need changes fast and changes they are going to get.
This is only the beginning of the rebuild and while that signals lean times ahead, it also means lots to look forward to in Atlanta.
All-Magic
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In the NBA some franchises stand out for dominating over different eras.
Some examples of that are Chicago, Boston, Detroit or the Los Angeles Lakers. There are other teams that don’t have that kind of extensive history but they have had some great players.
For instance, the Charlotte Hornets or Seattle Sonics have had some superstars. Orlando is probably the best example of this. Let’s see who the greatest player in Magic history is.
Penny Hardaway is the best point guard in franchise history. Hardaway played in Orlando from 1993-1999. Standing at 6’7 he was a taller than the average PG and could see over the defense. He was also an explosive athlete and won several accolades. He won the MVP award at the inaugural Schick Rookie Game.
He was named to the NBA All-Star team four times (1995-1998) and All-NBA First Team twice (1995 & 96). Penny also won a gold medal in 1996 at the Olympics.
Steve Francis played in Orlando from 2004-06 but he made an impact. He averaged 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds per game, 6.5 assists per game and 42.6% from the field.
Center Rony Seikaly is probably best known for being the first player picked by the Heat in 1998 but he spent a couple of seasons with the Magic (1996-98). He averaged 16.4 PPG, 8.7 RPG and 48% field goal percentage. Those are very solid numbers and he was almost a walking double-double.
Horace Grant had two different stints with the team, 1994-99 and 2001-03. He was probably at his best in Chicago but he brought veteran leadership to Orlando and helped lead them to the Finals in 1995. He put up 11.3 PPG and 8.2 RPG.
Dennis Scott (1990-97) is not very well rounded but he was a great shooter. He was one of the most prolific three-point shooters of the 90’s. He shot 40.3% beyond the arc with 14.8 PPG.
Nick Anderson (1989-99) was a very good shooting guard. Before the arrival of Shaq during the 1991-92 season he averaged 19.9 points and 6.4 rebounds. At 6’6 he was the same height as fellow shooting guard Michael Jordan.
Tracy McGrady (2000-04) was in his prime when he came back home to Florida. He was 2x All-NBA First Team (2002-03) and he made the All-Star game every season. He averaged 28.1 PPG, 7 RPG, 5.2 APG and 1.5 steals per game. He led the league in scoring two of the four seasons he spent with the team. He also led some mediocre teams to the playoffs three-straight years.
Dwight Howard (2004-2012) was a very athletic big man. He won the Slam Dunk Contest (2008), 3x NBA rebounding leader (2008-10, 2012), 2x blocks leader (2009, 2010) 5 x All-NBA First team (2008-12) and 5x NBA All-Star.
He was very limited offensively and he really did not develop a post game. He still managed to score 18.4 PPC, 13 RPG, 2.2 blocks per game on 57.7% shooting.
Rashard Lewis (2007-10) is often overlooked but he played well. At 6’10 he played both forward positions and created match-up problems. He shot 39.3%from three-point range and made the All-Star game in 2009.
You know who the best player has to be. Shaquille O’Neal (1992-96) is one of the most dominant players ever. He was in the best shape of his career when he played for the Magic.
The Diesel made the All-Star game every year he spent with the team. He led them to their first Finals in 1995. Super Man had 27.2 PPG, 12.5 RPG on 58.1% shooting.
Flying High Hawks
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As the NBA playoffs loom on the horizon there is one absolute we all know, and that is the Atlanta Hawks will not be in the NBA playoffs.
The Hawks are 20-45 currently and will be in the NBA draft lottery. If the Hawks tank down the stretch they could end up with the worst record in the NBA. That title is currently held by Memphis sitting at 18-46. Atlanta is currently tied with Orlando and Brooklyn with the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
Can we really expect great things from a Hawks franchise that traded Bill Russell to the Celtics in 1956 when the Hawks were based in St. Louis? Russell ended up leading the Celtics to 11 titles.
While these current Hawks aren’t very good here goes my all-time starting five for the Atlanta Hawks:
PG: Mookie Blaylock: While playing for Atlanta, Blaylock led the league in steals per game for two consecutive seasons in 1997 and 1998.
He made his first and only All-Star game in 1994. As a result of his quick hands, Blaylock was selected to two All-Defensive first teams and four All-Defensive second teams.
Mookie was a pretty good shooter from the outside as well with very good 3-point range. I almost picked Doc Rivers as my point guard, but I think Mookie was a better player overall.
SG: Pistol Pete Maravich: The Hawks drafted Pistol Pete with the third pick of the 1970 NBA draft out of LSU.
Pete played 4 years in Atlanta and made NBA all-star teams and averaged over 25 points a game twice in his time in Atlanta, and in grand Hawks style Atlanta traded Pistol Pete to the expansion New Orleans Jazz for two players and 4 draft picks.
During his ten-year career in the NBA, Maravich played in 658 games, averaging 24.2 points and 5.4 assists per contest. In 1987, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and his No. 7 jersey has been retired by both the Jazz and the New Orleans Pelicans, as well as his No. 44 jersey by the Atlanta Hawks.
Pistol Pete died at age 40 in 1988 playing in a pick-up basketball game.
C: Dikembe Mutombo: The 7’2 260-pound center who began his career with the Georgetown Hoyas was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players of all time, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times; he was also an eight-time All-Star.
Mt. Mutombo played in Atlanta for five years then was traded to Philadelphia in grand Hawks fashion at the trading deadline in 2001.
PF: Paul Millsap: Millsap played in Atlanta from 2013 to 2017 and was a four time NBA all-star after spending his first seven seasons in Utah. He helped lead the Hawks to a 60-22 record during the 2014-15 season and lost to Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals.
I was torn between Millsap and Al Horford at power forward.
SF: Dominique Wilkins: The Human Highlight Film is the greatest player in Atlanta Hawks history. Wilkins was drafted by the Utah Jazz with the third pick of the NBA draft in 1982.
Utah, with cash flow issues at the time, traded Wilkins to the Hawks for John Drew and cash.
Wilkins was the best dunker in the NBA and the leader of some pretty good Hawks teams of the 1980’s.
A nine-time NBA All-Star and the winner of two NBA slam dunk contests, Wilkins registered 26,668 points and 7,169 rebounds in his NBA career.
He was also robbed of 2-3 slam dunk titles as well. His #21 jersey was retired by the Hawks in 2001.
Can you believe the Atlanta Hawks traded their best player ever to the Clippers in 1994? This is still the only time in NBA history a team in first place in their conference traded its leading scorer after the All-Star break for Danny Manning.
In 2006, Wilkins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Outside of Philips Arena now sits a statue of Dominique Wilkins. I have looked for the Danny Manning statue in the same location but it is nowhere to be found.
Please get back to the playoffs soon Hawks. We miss you.
The Star Are Out
By: Alex Mathis
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It is almost time for the most exciting all-star weekend in professional sports. The top players in the NBA will spend All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles this year.
The NBA all-star break is quickly approaching and there will be a lot of different changes. The traditional all-star weekend consisted of the top players from the Eastern Conference versus the top players in the Western Conference. That format is getting old.
Fans were getting tired of seeing the same thing over and over, so the NBA has decided to throw a monkey wrench into the process. The NBA allowed the fans to vote for two captains to represent the two teams. This year those two captains are Lebron James and Stephen Curry.
These two were tasked with drafting their all-star super team. The talent pool consisted of the players who were voted on by other NBA players and fans. Lebron James’ squad consists of his former teammate Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Demarcus Cousins.
These four were picked by LeBron to be the starters. James, however, will have to make some roster adjustments already because Demarcus Cousins is lost for the season after tearing his achilles tendon against the Rockets.
LeBron’s bench will be loaded. LaMarcus Aldridge, Bradley Beal, Jose Calderon, Victor Oladipo, Kristaps Porzingis, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook will try to help lead team LeBron to victory.
Team Steph will be star studded as well. Joining the captain will be James Harden, Demar Derozan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid.
Stephen Curry hopes his bench will help lead his team to victory. His bench will include Al Horford, Damian Lillard, Kyle Lowry, Klay Thompson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Draymond Green.
After examining the rosters, I would give Team Lebron the slight edge. Lebron has some of the top guards in the NBA on his team. Stephen’s team is loaded with a bunch of go getters. A bunch of hard working NBA players. This all-star game may be one of the ages.
The NBA will also have some familiar events that fans enjoy. The NBA All-Star Celebrity game will also be back this year. Fans will get to see their favorite tv stars, politicians, and musicians compete in a basketball game.
The NBA will also have the Rising Stars Game. This game will consist of the top youngsters in the NBA. There will be a USA team versus a World Team. Players like Lonzo Ball, Ben Simmons, Dennis Smith Jr., and Buddy Hield will be some of the stars that will suit of for the Rising Stars Game.
The Taco Bell Skills Challenge will also take place this year. Some of the best ball handlers in the NBA will take on the difficult obstacle course. The three point contest will also be an event this year. Devon Booker, Kevin Love, Klay Thompson, Bradley Beal, and Wayne Ellington.
The Slam Dunk competition has been down as of late. There has not been the excitement that Nate Robinson, Dwight Howard, and Vince Carter once brought. This year participants hope that they will be able to bring some of that excitement back to the event.
High flyers Dennis Smith Jr, Larry Nance Jr, Victor Oladipo, and Aaron Gordon will be looking to make this an event that fans love again.
The changes to the NBA All-Star weekend could be a huge success this year. The MLB made changes that made their game more exciting for the fans. It gave the players more motivation to participate. The NBA is hoping for the same thing with their All-Star weekend.
Low Flying Hawks
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
We’re possibly one game away from crowning a new World Series champion. The NFL is at the midway point in their season and the college football regular season is about one month from being over. There’s so much going on in the sports world right now that basketball might get overlooked.
My hometown Atlanta Hawks may not be doing well on the surface. They are 1-6, which is tied with Dallas for the worst record in the league. That means they rank dead last in the Eastern Conference.
The Hawks average 99.6 points per game while opponents average 107.6. Not surprisingly, their lone win came on opening night against the Mavericks 117-111.
You may remember Atlanta let their starting frontcourt from last season go in the offseason. Paul Millsap and Al Horford left as free agents and they traded center Dwight Howard to Charlotte.
That shows on the court because in the most recent 117-106 loss to Milwaukee they were outrebounded by 12. Point guard Dennis Schroder is playing well, scoring 21 points against the Bucks.
”They came out with energy. We didn’t match it in the first five minutes,” Schroder said. ”In the second half we did a better job defending Antetokounmpo, but we’ve got to play for 48 minutes and be better.”
Schroder is averaging 22 points and 6.8 assists per game so he’s really the only good player on the roster. Rookie small forward Taurean Prince might develop into a good player. So far, he averages 13.3 ppg and 5.4 rebounds per game.
I think we can look at this season positively, which might sound crazy. There are only two ways to get a superstar in the NBA and that’s through the draft or free agency.
Historically marquee players have not signed with the Hawks in free agency so that leaves only one-way to improve. Teams need a top five pick to have the opportunity to get a legit playmaker.
I felt Atlanta has been at a crossroads for quite some time. They made the playoffs every year since the 2007-08 season. In 2014-15, they had the best record in the league (60-22) and had the top seed in the East. They broke a 48-year streak of not advancing past the second round of the playoffs and made it to the Conference Finals. The Cleveland Cavaliers swept them in 2014-15 and 2015-16.
It seems like they were content to be an above average regular season team. Then when they face elite teams in the postseason, they got obliterated. I like the approach this year because it looks like the franchise has learned from Philadelphia.
They have been tanking the last 4-5 seasons to get the highest draft pick each year. They made the slogan ‘Trust the Process’ famous and it seems like it’s paying off now with talented players like Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz on their roster.
I hope they can sustain the current pace and finish the season with the worst record. If that leads to the top pick in the 2018 draft it will be worth it.
Ironically, Atlanta’s next game is November 1st against the 76ers so they get to see how well this strategy works in person. My guess is Philly will win easily.
