My prediction for the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers game

Thursday, July 30, 2020

 

Los Angeles Clippers (44-20) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (49-14):

Previous matchups this season:

October 22:

WINNER:  Los Angeles Clippers, 112-102
TEAM HIGHS:  Los Angeles Clippers – Kawhi Leonard (30 points) Los Angeles Lakers – Danny Green (28 points)

December 25:

WINNER:  Los Angeles Clippers, 111-106
TEAM HIGHS:  Los Angeles Clippers – Kawhi Leonard (35 points) Los Angeles Lakers – Kyle Kuzma (25 points)

March 8:

WINNER:  Los Angeles Lakers, 112-103
TEAM HIGHS:  Los Angeles Lakers – Anthony Davis (30 points) Los Angeles Clippers – Paul George (31 points)

My prediction:

I have the Los Angeles Lakers beating the Los Angeles Clippers tonight.  How close the game will be is determined if Anthony Davis (eye) plays or not.  With Montrezl Harrell (18.6 PPG) and Lou Williams (18.7 PPG) out, it could be hard for the Clippers to win this one.  In fact, Kawhi Leonard will have to drop 30+ points if they want to have a chance at winning.

Kobe Bryant is the best player out of the 1996 NBA Draft

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

 

The 1996 NBA Draft was definitely one of the greatest draft classes of all-time.  It took place on June 26, 1996, and is considered one of the deepest and most talented classes in history.  The draft presented players such as Ray Allen, Steve Nash, and Allen Iverson but, in my opinion, the best player out of the draft is the late Kobe Bryant (R.I.P.).

Kobe Bryant was drafted as the 13th pick in the first round by the Charlotte Hornets.  Before the draft day, the Hornets agreed to trade their 13th pick to the Los Angeles Lakers (which was obviously a huge mistake on their part).  Bryant would go on to spend his entire 20-season career with the Lakers.

Kobe Bryant is not just the best player to come out of the draft but he’s also widely considered as one of the greatest players of all-time.  Like LeBron James, there’s not much to say about him because we all know what he’s capable of doing.  He’s an extremely dangerous scorer who is known for showing up big in clutch situations.  He’s also a great defensive player (something he doesn’t get enough credit for).

He finished his legendary career with incredible accolades.  He was an 18-time All-Star who made the All-NBA First Team eleven times and the All-NBA Second Team and Third Team two times each.  He also made the NBA All-Defensive First Team nine times and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times.  He even made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, although he didn’t have a great one.  He’s a five-time champion who led the league in scoring twice in a row and won league MVP during the 2007-2008 season.

As stated above, Kobe Bryant didn’t really have a superior rookie season and most of that is due to being a starter for just 6 out of the 71 games he played.  He only averaged 7.6 points per game, along with 1.9 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, 0.7 steals per game, and 0.3 blocks per game.  He shot 42% from the field and 38% from behind the three-point line.  He finished with a true shooting percentage of 54%.

During the rest of his time in Los Angeles, Bryant averaged 25.0 points per game, along with 5.2 rebounds per game, 4.7 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, and 0.5 blocks per game.  He shot 45% from the field while knocking down 33% of his three-pointers.  He finished his career with a true shooting percentage of 55%.  He also finished with 122.1 offensive win shares and 50.7 defensive win shares.

He helped the Lakers make it to the postseason 16 straight times.  He went on to win five championships (a three-peat and two straight) and was named Finals MVP two of those times.  During the playoffs, Bryant averaged 25.6 points a game, along with 5.1 rebounds a game, 4.7 assists a game, 1.4 steals a game, and 0.7 blocks a game.  He shot 45% from the field while drilling 33% of his three-pointers.  He finished with a combined true shooting percentage of 54%.  He also finished with 21.0 offensive win shares and 7.3 defensive win shares.

Kobe Bryant is currently the Los Angeles Lakers’ all-time leader in points with 33,643, as well as steals with 1,944 and three-pointers made with 1,827.  He is also their third all-time leader in rebounds with 7,047, their second all-time leader in assists with 6,306, and their fifth all-time leader in blocks with 640.

He is their all-time leader in points scored during the playoffs with a grand total of 5,640 and three-pointers made with 292.  He is also their sixth all-time leader in rebounds with 1,119, their second all-time leader in assists with 1,040, their second all-time leader in steals with 310, and their fourth all-time leader in blocks with 144.

This draft class was definitely a tremendous one.  Not only did it presented the names in the first paragraph but it also featured Marcus Camby, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Stephon Marbury, and Jermaine O’Neal.  But the best player out of the class, in my opinion, is Kobe Bryant.

LeBron James is the best player from the 2003 NBA Draft

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

 

The 2003 NBA Draft will go down as one of the greatest drafts in league history.  It featured some guys who will later become some of the greatest players in NBA history.  Some notable names in the draft are Dywane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony.  But, in my opinion, the best player out of the draft is LeBron James.

LeBron James was drafted as the first pick in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers, with whom he spent a total of eleven seasons (he played with the Miami Heat after the first seven seasons in Cleveland).  Not only is LeBron James the best player out of the draft but he’s widely recognized as one of the greatest players of all-time.

There’s not much to say about him because almost everybody knows what’s he capable of.  His offensive game is second to none, being able to score even though he has a “pass-first” mentality.  He can attack the basket at will but what he’s knocked for the most is his defense, which he has gotten better at.

James is currently a 16-time All-Star who made it on the NBA All-Rookie First Team, as well as winning Rookie of the Year.  He also made the All-NBA First Team twelve times, the All-NBA Second Team twice, and the All-NBA Third Team once.  He made the NBA All-Defensive First Team five times and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team once.  He’s a three-time champion (winning Finals MVP each time) who won league MVP four times and led the league in scoring during the 2007-2008 season.

James had an amazing rookie season and I’m not just talking about numbers.  No athlete has gotten as much hype and attention as he did and actually LIVED UP TO IT.  But since numbers are everything to me, let’s talk number.  During his rookie season, he averaged 20.9 points per game, along with 5.5 rebounds a game, 5.9 assists a game, 1.6 steals a game, and 0.7 blocks a game.  He shot 42% from the field but only 29% from the three-point line.  He finished a true shooting percentage of 49%.

During the rest of his time in Cleveland, he averaged 27.2 points per game.  He also averaged 7.3 rebounds a game, 7.3 assists a game, 1.6 steals a game, and 0.8 blocks a game.  He shot 49% from the field and knocking down 34% of his three-pointers.  He finished a true shooting percentage of 58%.  He also finished with 107.7 offensive win shares and 46.3 defensive win shares.

He led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the postseason nine times but only won one championship.  During those playoffs, though, he averaged 30.1 points per game.  He also averaged 9.1 rebounds per game, 7.8 assists per game, 1.7 steals per game, and 1.1 blocks per game.  He shot 49% from the field while shooting 32% from beyond the arc.  He finished with a combined true shooting percentage of 57%.  He also finished with 21.4 offensive win shares and 10.5 defensive win shares.

LeBron James is currently the Cleveland Cavaliers’ all-time leader in points with 23,119.  He is also their all-time leader in rebounds with 6,190, assists with 6,228, steals with 1,376, and three-pointers made with 1,251.  He is their fourth all-time leader in blocks with 695.

He is their all-time leader in points scored during the playoffs with 4,573.  He is also their all-time leader in rebounds with 1,388, assists with 1,188, steals with 264, blocks with 162, and three-pointers made with 247.

After playing with the Cavaliers, LeBron James made the decision to join the Miami Heat.  It sparked up a lot of controversy, particularly due to the fact that it was done on a live TV special.  Nevertheless, while spending four seasons in Miami, James averaged 26.9 points per game.  He also averaged 7.6 rebounds a game, 6.7 assists a game, 1.7 steals a game, and 0.7 blocks a game.  He shot 54% from the field while knocking down 37% of his three-pointers.  He finished with a true shooting percentage of 62%.  He also finished with 47.2 offensive win shares and 18.1 defensive win shares.

James helped the Miami Heat make the playoffs every season he played there, winning two championships back-to-back in the process.  During the playoffs, though, he averaged 26.9 points per game.  He also averaged 8.4 rebounds a game, 5.7 assists a game, 1.8 steals a game, and 0.8 blocks a game.  He shot 50% from the field while knocking down 35% of his shots from beyond the arc.  He finished with a combined true shooting percentage of 60%.  He also finished with 13.7 offensive win shares and 5.5 defensive win shares.

As of right now, LeBron James is the Miami Heat’s fourth all-time leader in points with 7,919.  He is also their 11th all-time leader in rebounds with 2,225, their fourth all-time leader in assists with 1,980, their eighth all-time leader in steals with 489, their 15th all-time leader in blocks with 193, and their 11th all-time leader in three-pointers made with 365.

James is the Heat’s second all-time leader in points scored during the playoffs with 2,338.  He is also their third all-time leader in rebounds with 734, their second all-time leader in assists with 499, their second all-time leader in steals with 155, and their fifth all-time leader in blocks with 70.  He is their all-time leader in three-pointers made with 123.

LeBron James is currently playing with the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he started playing in 2018.  Right now, he is averaging 26.5 points per game with them, along with 8.2 rebounds a game, 9.5 assists a game, 1.3 steals a game, and 0.5 blocks a game.  He is shooting 50% from the field while shooting 35% from downtown.  He has a true shooting percentage of 59%.  He also has 10.8 offensive win shares and 6.0 defensive win shares.

As of right now, James averaging 27.1 points per game for his career.  He is also averaging 7.4 rebounds a game, 7.4 assists a game, 1.6 steals a game, and 0.8 blocks a game.  He has a total of 34,087 points, 9,353 rebounds, 9,298 assists, 2,011 steals, 951 blocks, and 1,860 three-pointers.

This draft class isn’t just one of the greatest in league history but it’s my personal favorite.  Aside from James, Anthony, Bosh, and Wade, it featured guys like David West, Kirk Hinrich, Kendrick Perkins, and Kyle Korver.  But the best player out of the draft is LeBron James, in my opinion.

Shawn Marion is the best player from the 1999 NBA Draft

Sunday, July 26, 2020

 

The 1999 NBA draft was another great draft.  It didn’t feature athletes who became all-time greats but it was still very remarkable.  Elton Brand, Manu Ginobili, Jason Terry, Lamar Odom, and Richard Hamilton were among those drafted but the best player, in my opinion, is Shawn Marion.

Shawn Marion was drafted as the ninth pick in the first round by the Phoenix Suns.  He spent his first nine seasons there before playing with the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, respectively.  Marion was one of the most versatile players during his time because he was athletic enough to play and defend any position.  The only thing he gets criticized for is his unorthodox shooting form but if you can score, then you can score.

He had a decent rookie season, considering the fact that he was dealing with a knee injury.  He averaged 10.2 points per game, along with 6.5 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, 0.7 steals per game, and 1.0 blocks per game.  He shot 47% from the field but only shot 18% from behind the three-point line.  He finished with a true shooting percentage of 51%.

During the rest of his time in Phoenix, Shawn Marion averaged 18.4 points per game.  He also averaged 10.0 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game, 1.9 steals per game, and 1.4 blocks per game.  He shot 48% from the field while shooting 34% from beyond the arc.  He finished with a true shooting percentage of 55%.  He also finished with 50.4 offensive win shares and 42.8 defensive win shares.

Marion helped the Suns make the playoffs six times but could never win a championship.  However, he averaged 17.1 points per game in those playoffs, along with 10.9 rebounds a game, 1.4 assists a game, 1.5 steals per game, and 1.5 blocks per game.  He shot 46% from the field while knocking down 35% of his three-pointers.  He finished with a combined true shooting percentage of 53%.  He also finished with 3.9 offensive win shares and 3.6 defensive win shares.

As of right now, Shawn Marion is the Phoenix Suns’ fourth all-time leader in points with 12,134.  He is also their second all-time leader in rebounds with 6,616, their 17th all-time leader in assists with 1,332, their second all-time leader in steals with 1,245, their third all-time leader in blocks with 894, and their fifth all-time leader in three-pointers made with 652.

He is their seventh all-time leader in points scored during the playoffs with 1,109.  He is also their 15th all-time leader in assists with 89, their third all-time leader in steals with 97, their second all-time leader in blocks with 99, and their fifth all-time leader in three-pointers made with 63.  He is their all-time leader in rebounds with 706.

After playing in Phoenix, Marion played with the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors for one year each.  In Miami, he averaged 12.7 points per game, along with 9.4 rebounds a game, 2.0 assists a game, 1.5 steals a game, and 1.0 blocks a game.  He shot 48% from the field but shot only 23% from beyond the arc.  He finished with a true shooting percentage of 52%.  He also finished with 1.4 offensive win shares and 3.0 defensive win shares.

While playing in Toronto, Shawn Marion averaged 14.3 points per game.  He also averaged 8.3 rebounds a game, 2.3 assists a game, 1.1 steals a game, and 0.8 blocks a game.  He shot 49% from the field while knocking down just 15% of his three-pointers.  He finished with a true shooting percentage of 52%.  He also finished with 0.7 offensive win shares and 1.0 defensive win shares.

Shawn Marion was later traded by the Raptors to the Dallas Mavericks, where he spent the next five years.  During his time in Dallas, he averaged 11.6 points per game.  He also averaged 7.0 rebounds a game, 1.8 assists a game, 1.0 steals a game, and 0.6 blocks a game.  He shot 50% from the field while shooting just 31% from the three-point line.  He finished with a true shooting percentage of 53%.  He also finished with 10.4 offensive win shares and 13.5 defensive win shares.

Marion helped the Mavericks reach the postseason four times while winning a championship (which turned out to his only one and, so far, theirs).  During those playoffs, Marion averaged 10.7 points per game, as well as 6.0 rebounds a game, 1.8 assists a game, 0.8 steals a game, and 0.7 blocks a game.  He shot 44% from the field but only shot 20% from downtown.  He finished with a combined true shooting percentage of 49%.  He also finished with 0.5 offensive win shares and 1.0 defensive win shares.

Currently, Shawn Marion is the Dallas Mavericks’ 18th all-time leader in points with 4,170.  He is also their 12th all-time leader in rebounds with 2,515, their 20th all-time leader in assists with 636, their 12th all-time leader in steals with 369, their 16th all-time leader in blocks with 231, and their 42nd all-time leader in three-pointers made with 109.

He is their 14th all-time leader in points scored during the playoffs with 408.  He is also their 12th all-time leader in rebounds with 227, their 16th all-time leader in assists with 68, their 12th all-time leader in steals with 29, their 11th all-time leader in blocks with 28, and their 25th all-time leader in three-pointers made with just eight.

After playing in Dallas, Marion signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played his final season.  At the age of 36, he wasn’t as productive as he would’ve liked to be.  In Cleveland, he averaged just 4.8 points a game.  He also averaged 3.5 rebounds a game, 0.9 assists a game, 0.5 steals a game, and 0.5 blocks a game.  He shot 45% from the field while shooting just 26% from downtown.  He finished with a true shooting percentage of 49%.  He also finished with 0.8 offensive win shares and 0.9 defensive win shares.

While he was playing with the Cavaliers, they were able to make it to the postseason where they lost to the Golden State Warriors.  During those playoffs, though, he averaged just 0.3 points per game.  He also averaged 1.0 rebounds a game, 0.2 assists a game, and 0.3 steals a game.  He shot 17% from the field while finishing with a true shooting percentage of 17%.  He also finished with 0.0 offensive win shares and 0.0 defensive win shares.

Shawn Marion finished his 16-season career with an average of 15.2 points per game, along with 8.7 rebounds a game, 1.9 assists a game, 1.5 steals a game, and 1.1 blocks a game.  He has a total of 17,700 points, 10,101 rebounds, 2,198 assists, 1,759 steals, 1,233 blocks and 791 three-pointers.  Throughout his career, he was a four-time All-Star who made the All-NBA Third Team two times in a row.  He also made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

The 1999 NBA Draft was most definitely a wonderful class.  It featured a whole lot of recognizable names even though they didn’t grow to be “legends”.  But the best player out of this draft, in my opinion, is Shawn Marion.