All-Decade Power Rankings: Golden State Warriors rule the 2010s

The Golden State Warriors were easily the most dominant NBA team in the 2010s decade. What teams followed them? Our full rankings included.

 

 

2020 aggregate NBA mock draft 3.0: Michigan State players are climbing

After over a month of the college basketball season, we are starting to get a better picture of what the 2020 NBA Draft will look like.

After over a month of the college basketball season, we are starting to get a better picture of what the 2020 NBA draft will look like.

For example, Georgia Bulldogs freshman Anthony Edwards is beginning to separate himself as a near-consensus No. 1 overall pick. On the other side of the coin, though, several of the projected top selections (LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman, Cole Anthony and RJ Hampton) will miss extended time due to either injury or suspension.

In order to get a better read of the bigger picture, we collected opinions from the top experts and analysts that cover the draft. The latest 2020 NBA mock drafts from ESPNCBS SportsSI.comBleacher Report, NBADraft.net, The Athletic as well as USA Today Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire were used for these rankings.

One of the most interesting takeaways is that the Michigan State Spartans have three players (Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry and Xavier Tillman) all trending up.

After making the Final Four in last year’s March Madness, the program was expected to take another leap forward for their 2019-20 campaign.

Despite three losses in their first 10 games, the Spartans still rank No. 15 overall this season. This can be attributed to the fact Michigan State currently has the third-best offense in college basketball, per KenPom.com.

They also have three of the most improved players since our last aggregate mock draft. The full list, and more on each of the MSU players moving up draft boards, is included below.

[protected-iframe id=”f33f3fcc96778b85aff7b04ba6ba4a39-85827622-84177787″ info=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/1112465/embed” frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”]

Cassius Winston, Guard

Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

AMD Rank: 29

Since our last AMD, this has moved up 17 spots in our rankings.

Despite already being 21 years old, the 6-foot-1 guard currently has a first-round grade from ESPN as well as Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports.

Winston has been one of the best distributors since he began at MSU. 67.1 percent of all field goals for the Spartans have been assisted, which is the sixth-most among all teams so far this season. His career assist rate (44.1 percent) ranks No. 1 overall among all college players who have played at least 50 games since 2009-10, via Sports-Reference.

During his freshman season, he had the second-best assist rate (46.7 percent) in the NCAA. Then as a sophomore, his assist rate (43.5 percent) trailed only Trae Young for the best in college basketball. Last season, his assist mark (44.8 percent) ranked third-best and behind only Ja Morant among all who played for teams that made the tournament.

But he has also shown strength as one of the more accurate shooters in the NCAA.

Winston was 75-for-151 (49.7 percent) from beyond the arc in 2017-18. That helped him join the exclusive 50-40-90 club for field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and free-throw percentage. Even as a sophomore then, the guard was one of the few to have a membership with at least two three-point attempts per game.

There is some enough NBA readiness to show he can contribute right away for a winning team.

Aaron Henry, Wing

AMD Rank: 33

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Since our last AMD, this has moved up 26 spots in our rankings.

Henry was of the players who helped himself the most during the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Then a freshman, he put up 20 points with 6 rebounds and 6 assists during a victory over LSU.

While he has not yet taken the leap some expected as a sophomore, draft experts still have confidence in him as a prospect. His highest ranking right now comes from Jonathan Wasserman, who has him at No. 28 overall (via Bleacher Report):

“The eye test on Henry looks more convincing than the numbers. He isn’t a high-level creator, which limits him in Michigan State’s offense. But the 6’6″ guard is hitting open shots, capitalizing on driving lanes and making impact defensive plays. This late, teams will overlook Henry’s production for his fit.”

Perhaps the best news for the wing is that there is room for improvement. However, there have also been moments that show what Henry is capable of accomplishing at the next level.

This season, for example, the sophomore has been one of the most effective shooters off the catch. He is averaging 1.78 points per possession on catch-and-shoot attempts in a set offense, per Synergy Sports, which ranks in the 98th percentile.

Henry is also shooting 72.7 percent at the rim, which is an especially solid rate for a wing. Overall, he looks like someone capable of being a 3-and-D player in an NBA rotation.

Xavier Tillman, Big

AMD Rank: 50

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Since our last AMD, this has moved up 13 spots in our rankings.

Michigan State has always been a team that plays better with Tillman on the court. Last season, for example, the big actually had the third-best box plus-minus in the NCAA — trailing only Zion Williamson and Brandon Clarke.

Jeremy Woo recently helped contextualize what professional teams may like about the 6-foot-8 junior (via SI.com):

“Tillman specializes in doing the dirty work and has been a largely unheralded yet invaluable piece of the Spartans’ success dating back to last season. He’s not particularly tall for a center but has a chance to be a quality rotational big in the pros with what he adds defensively and on the glass. Tillman has worked on extending his shooting range, and if he ends up being able to shoot the three, he’ll have a fairly strong window of opportunity as a role player. A lot of the things he does as a screener and defender don’t show up in the box score, and while he’ll never be more than a fourth or fifth offensive option, he might be able to thrive in that capacity.”

His best trait so far this season has been his ability to cut to the basket. He is shooting 15-for-17 (88.2 percent) on these attempts, per Synergy.

But he has also added value on the offensive glass and as a rim protector for Michigan State. His willingness and ability to make the most of time on the floor makes him a draftable professional prospect.

[lawrence-related id=1300955]

All-Decade Power Rankings: Golden State Warriors rule the 2010s

The Golden State Warriors were easily the most dominant NBA team in the 2010s decade. What teams followed them? Our full rankings included.

The end of the decade is upon us, which a good time to look at the teams that thrived and those that took a nosedive over the 2010s.

For clarity, the period examined begins with the 2010-11 NBA season and ends Dec. 12, 2019, rather than bridging games that were played in the second half of 2009-10. Remember, the 2011-12 season was limited to 66 games due to a players’ strike.

30. Sacramento Kings

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Kings have been consistent … as in consistently under .500. The last time the franchise had a winning season was 2005-06. It will be interesting to see if they can get over the .500 mark this go-round. The Kings are currently flirting with .500 but still under.

Jarrett Allen: Loss to Hornets ‘a wake-up call’

Jarrett Allen feels Brooklyn’s loss to the Hornets could help the Nets with their approach to the Raptors and Sixers.

Wednesday’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets was both disappointing for the Brooklyn Nets, yet understandable, as well.

Now, the Nets led by as much as 20 and the Hornets are not exactly one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. So, in that sense, Brooklyn absolutely should’ve won.

On the other hand, this is the third time the Nets and Hornets have played each other, and it’s only Week 8 of the 2019-20 season. The last time they played one another, prior to Wednesday, was Friday (12/6). In each of the first two meetings, Brooklyn won. And everyone knows the old cliche, “it’s hard to beat a team three times.”

Ultimately, it was a game the Nets were very much in control of and they let it slip away.

Now Brooklyn has a challenging road-home back-to-back coming up on Saturday and Sunday. First, the Nets visit the Raptors, then they host the Sixers.

But a loss like Wednesday’s could, in a way, jumpstart Brooklyn. Because, as Jarrett Allen pointed out to reporters on Wednesday, the loss was unacceptable:

Ya know, it’s a wake-up call. After we lose a game like this — ya know, credit to them still, but once we lose a game like this, we’re going to prepare extra hard for the next game. Ya know, look at our mistakes and improve on them.

RELATED: Nearly four weeks after surgery, Caris LeVert still not clear for contact

RELATED: Nets’ big lead slips away, lose to Hornets by five

Nets’ big lead slips away, lose to Hornets by five

The Brooklyn Nets lost a very winnable game to the Charlotte Hornets. At one point, Brooklyn led by 20.

The Brooklyn Nets held a sizeable lead over the Charlotte Hornets for much of the night on Wednesday — leading by as much as 20 at one point — but could not finish the job. Charlotte outscored the Nets 60-44 in the second half and went on to win 113-108.

A large part of what led to the Hornets’ comeback was the play of Charlotte guard Devonte’ Graham. In his 37 minutes of action, Graham scored 40 points on 12 of 21 shooting (7 of 12 from deep). He also had five rebounds and five assists.

What also hurt the Nets was Joe Haris (1-for-8), Garrett Temple (1-for-5), Taurean Prince (1-for-5) and Spencer Dinwiddie’s (2-for-9) struggles from three. As a team, Brooklyn shot 26.3% from deep. Overall, Prince went 2-for-12 from the field.

Dinwiddie still led the Nets in scoring with 24 points, finishing 8-for-16 from the floor (5-for-7 from two). He also had six assists.

Jarrett Allen scored 21 on an efficient 7-for-9 shooting. He also had 10 rebounds, logging another double-double.

Brooklyn’s bench offered a healthy amount of scoring, finishing with 37 points between the five reserves who played. Theo Pinson scored 12 on 5-for-9 shooting (2-for-4 from three).

DeAndre Jordan finished one point shy of a double-double, grabbing with 14 boards in his 22 minutes of action.

Bar Races: The NBA teams with the worst winning percentages this century

The Knicks are the worst team in the NBA this century when considering winning percentage.

The Knicks are the worst team in the NBA this century when considering winning percentage. (They were not one year ago).

[lawrence-related id=1286072]

[lawrence-related id=1285830]

[lawrence-related id=1276438]

[lawrence-related id=1282748]

Nets overcome early deficit, defeat Hornets 111-104

Three members of the Brooklyn Nets logged double-doubles in Friday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets.

It took a little while for the Brooklyn Nets to gain an edge, but they were able to sneak past the Charlotte Hornets on Friday with a 111-104 win.

Jarrett Allen had himself another double-double — his seventh in a row — but, this time, he was not the only Net to do so.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 13 points — marking only the second time he’s scored less than 20 since Kyrie Irving was sidelined by a right shoulder impingement — and logged a season-high 12 assists.

As a whole, the Nets distributed the ball well. Taurean Prince and Joe Harris had five assists apiece, Garrett Temple finished with four and DeAndre Jordan, Dzanan Musa and Iman Shumpert each had three.

Jordan had himself a double-double, too. He grabbed 13 rebounds and scored a season-high 16 points.

Both Jordan and Allen blocked a pair of shots.

Harris drilled a season-high six 3-pointers on eight attempts. He led the Nets with 22 points.

Prince was efficient in his 16-point performance. He went 6-for-9 from the floor, 2-for-4 from deep.

David Nwaba continues to provide a spark off the bench on both offense and defense. In 16 minutes of action, he scored a season-high 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting (2-for-3 from long-range).

Nets’ matchups vs. Hornets should warrant same result as November meeting

The Brooklyn Nets can’t afford to drop either of their upcoming games against the Charlotte Hornets.

On Sunday, the Nets have to face the always challenging Denver Nuggets. But Brooklyn has one more matchup before taking on Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic again: the Charlotte Hornets.

Actually, oddly enough, the game against Denver is sandwiched between a pair of games against Charlotte, first on the road, then back at Barclays Center on Wednesday (December 11).

As the Nets try to stay over .500 after their slow start to 2019-20, they have to take both of these games. The close proximity of the matchups does make things more challenging, but Brooklyn has to find a way to win both games against the Hornets. They truly can’t afford to take the night off in either game.

Now, an added emphasis on winning these games isn’t because the Hornets are inclined to steal a game or two. Of course, any win is helpful, but the issue is Brooklyn has a tough slate ahead.

In addition to Denver, the Nets visit the Toronto Raptors, then host the Philadelphia 76ers. Then, after four winnable games, the Nets face six playoff-caliber teams over the span of seven games, including the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat.

Knocking off lesser opponents is always a must, but when there’s a daunting stretch on the horizon, good teams always take advantage of the weak spots in their schedule — which is exactly what both games against the Hornets are for the Nets.

RELATED: Nets Report Card: First quarter of 2019-20 season

Brooklyn Nets at Charlotte Hornets odds, lines, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Brooklyn Nets at Charlotte Hornets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Charlotte Hornets (9-14) host the Brooklyn Nets (11-10) Friday with tip-off coming just after 7:00 p.m. ET at Spectrum Center. We analyze the Nets-Hornets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.


Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.


Nets at Hornets: Key injuries

Nets

  • PG Kyrie Irving (shoulder) out
  • SG Caris LeVert (thumb) out

Hornets

  • PF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (calf) questionable

Nets at Hornets: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Nets 113, Hornets 108

Moneyline (ML)

The Nets have won seven of their last 10 games and are 5-6 on the road this season. The Hornets are 9-14 overall and 5-6 at home. Back BROOKLYN (-139) as a slight road favorite even without Irving.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Brooklyn to win outright would profit $7.19.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Nets are 17th against the spread on the road with a mark of 5-6 and come in 0.9 points per game below the cover line. Charlotte is 6-5 ATS at home and comes in a half-point per game below the cover line.

Slightly lean toward BROOKLYN (-2.5, -106) to win by three or more points Friday. It delivers a $9.43 profit on a $10 bet.

Over/Under (O/U)

The projected total is set at 217.5 (Over: -115, Under: -106). Brooklyn averages 113 points per game and Charlotte allows 112.8 per contest. The Nets rank eighth at 102.6 possessions per game and the Hornets are 25th at 98.7. Take the OVER 217.5 (-115).

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @ChrisWasselDFS and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]

Hornets’ Devonte’ Graham is currently one of NBA’s best shot creators

Hornets guard Devonte’ Graham has had one of the most surprising starts to this season, including another stellar game on Wednesday.

Charlotte Hornets guard Devonte’ Graham has had one of the most surprising starts to this season, including another stellar game on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old put up 33 points against the Golden State Warriors behind 10 three-pointers. That was a career-high mark from downtown for Graham, who also tied the record for most three-pointers in a single game in franchise history.

Graham has been shooting the ball well all year, as he leads the Eastern Conference in total three-pointers thus far. Perhaps most impressive is the prolific rate at which he has created his own shot.

Graham has been taking more pull-up three-pointers per game (5.3) than almost anyone in the league. But he has been effective on these challenging looks, shooting 41.0 percent from three-point range.

Ricky O’Donnell wrote about this last month, comparing him to former Charlotte star Kemba Walker (via SB Nation):

“[His] ability to hit pull-up threes off the dribble makes him an especially tough cover. It should remind Hornets fans quite a bit of how Walker used to play in Charlotte… The pull-up three off the dribble is one of the toughest and most valuable shots in basketball. Graham has been remarkably good at making them so far.”

In fact, Graham (2.23) and Walker (2.37) have actually averaged nearly identical successful pull-up three-pointers per 70 possessions this season.

Graham consistently dances around the court, finding space for himself and showcasing his ability to shoot on the move without a pass from a teammate. Half of the three-pointers he has made have been unassisted, according to Cleaning the Glass, which ranks in the 94th percentile among combo guards.

Even before the highlight performance against Golden State, this was the full list of players who had scored more points on unassisted three-pointers than Graham (108): James Harden (243), Damian Lillard (144), Luka Doncic (141) and Trae Young (135).

Those are some of the best shot creators in the NBA and Graham has found himself right up there among the elite.

Overall, few in the league have scored off the dribble as often as Graham has in 2019-20.

He has been efficient, too, averaging 1.14 points per possession when shooting jump shots off the dribble. That ranks in the 88th percentile among all players so far this season, per Synergy. He has accumulated 142 points in this manner, which is third-best in the Eastern Conference.

He has been among the top-tier scorers in the NBA, solidifying himself as an early candidate for the Most Improved Player award.

[lawrence-related id=1301222]