Tag: NBA Draft

LaVar Ball says LiAngelo would have been lottery pick if not for China incident

LaVar Ball recent spoke in an interview about LiAngelo Ball signing with the Oklahoma City Blue and his path to get there.

While Lonzo and LaMelo Ball have proven to be NBA-caliber players, LiAngelo Ball has been far off the mark for much of his amateur and professional career. The middle of the Ball brothers, LiAngelo has a vastly different skill set than either of his brothers.

While both Lonzo and LaMelo excel with the ball in their hands as playmaking guards, LiAngelo has been more of a spot-up shooter that, actually, complements his brother’s skillsets.

LiAngelo, though, has never been a particularly efficient shooter and, as a result, has struggled to find a steady professional career. His incident in China added a black cloud over his career and held him back even further.

However, he’s finally broken through in recent months, first joining Oklahoma City’s G League affiliate as a practice player before being extended and signing a G League contract with the OKC Blue.

During an interview with Forbes, LaVar talked about LiAngelo signing with a G League team and how big of an accomplishment that was.

“It wasn’t a big deal because here’s the thing; all my boys are going to go pro. So Gelo went a different direction, that means he has to take a different route. But they all cut from the same cloth. If Gelo didn’t do what he did, he would have been a lottery pick too. It’s not like I’m going to have two boys living in my house saying, ‘Oh nah I’m not going to work out like that.'”

LiAngelo was nowhere nears a lottery-level talent and LaVar claiming so also discredits the hard work LiAngelo put into getting into the G League. To go from practice player to earning a contract is no small feat. Saying it’s not a big deal because he’s a lottery talent diminishes that.

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Georgia basketball: Anthony Edwards wins SEC Freshman of the Year

Georgia basketball star Anthony Edwards wins SEC Freshman of the Year.

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Georgia basketball superstar Anthony Edwards has won the SEC Freshman of the Year Award, the conference announced on Tuesday.

He becomes Georgia’s first player ever to win the award since its creation in 2001.

Edwards came to Georgia as a five-star out of Atlanta with the highest expectations since Dominique Wilkins. And though the team may have had a disappointing season, going 15-16, Edwards put on a show all season.

During his freshman year, Edwards averaged 19.5 points per game. He also averaged 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals a game. Edwards posted three 30-point games and had 13 games with 20 points or more.

Additionally, Edwards was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and was named second team All-SEC.

Edwards is expected to No. 1 in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Georgia kicks off SEC Tournament play on Wednesday vs Ole Miss. If the Bulldogs want to make the NCAA Tournament, they’ll need to win five SEC games in five days. The conference tournament takes place in Nashville.,

Watch: Steph Curry threads no-look highlight reel pass with left hand

In his first game back from injury, Steph Curry drops highlight-reel dime with his surgically repaired left hand.

It has been 58 games since Stephen Curry suited up in his No. 30 Golden State Warriors uniform. Finally, Thursday night against the Toronto Raptors, that changed.

In Curry’s return to Golden State’s lineup for the first time in four months, all eyes were on his left hand. Since getting injured in late October against the Phoenix Suns, Curry’s hand has gone through two surgeries and a tedious rehab.

Outside of scrimmaging in practice, Curry’s hand has gone through a limited amount of full-contact situations. The two-time Most Valuable Player’s hand was bound to get tested against the Raptors.

The six-time All-Star didn’t waste any time using his surgically repaired hand. Curry whipped a behind the back no-look pass to Andrew Wiggins underneath the basket for an easy layup.

Via @Warriors:

Curry still has a long way to go as he works back from injury over the remaining 20 games on the schedule. Still, his highlight reel pass with his left hand is a positive sign for the future.

Georgia men’s basketball announces new season attendance record

For the second consecutive year, Georgia’s men’s basketball has surpassed Stegeman Coliseum’s annual attendance record.

For the second consecutive year, Georgia’s men’s basketball has surpassed Stegeman Coliseum’s annual attendance record.

Attendance spiked following Tom Crean’s 2018 appointment as the Bulldogs’ head coach. When Crean managed to secure the commitment of 2019’s top high school prospect Anthony Edwards, excitement built further for Georgia basketball fans.

So, an average season with an above-average NBA prospect ended on a sour note against rival Florida. Georgia fans have every right to feel dejected.

Win or lose, however, Georgia faithful kept buying tickets to hoot and holler for the Dawgs. The Steg was packed and, oh my, was it loud.

A sure sign of an impassioned fanbase, the majority of the home crowd stayed until each game’s final whistle all year.

Mind you, that’s not just because of the fans’ recognition of the inevitably horrific post-game traffic splitting from Carlton Street toward either Lumpkin Street or East Campus Road.

The 2019-2020 Bulldogs’ hopes aren’t dead. There’s still an entire conference tourney left to be played.

Crean’s squad, which entered the campaign with high hopes, needs to win next week’s SEC Tournament to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Unless conference tournament results prove otherwise, the Dawgs are considered a bubble team for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

In that case, a conference quarterfinal or semifinal would ostensibly improve Crean and company’s chances, but after such an up-and-down season, nothing can be guaranteed (always the case in the sports) or even predicted (always the case in Georgia sports).

Should the Bulldogs receive an NIT invite, they have the opportunity of hosting another game in Athens, potentially adding to the season’s attendance record.

Opinion: No, Georgia basketball did not waste its only season with Anthony Edwards

After Anthony Edwards committed to UGA in February of 2019, many Georgia fans quickly deemed him the Dawgs’ deliverer from mediocrity.

Anthony Edwards arrived in Athens, Georgia to much fanfare.

Depending on which recruiting service you asked, Edwards was either the first- or second-ranked high school basketball prospect of the 2019 recruiting cycle.

After the senior out of Atlanta’s Holy Spirit Prep announced his commitment to Tom Crean’s Bulldogs in February of 2019, many Georgia fans quickly deemed him the Dawgs’ deliverer from mediocrity.

Reminder: this was over three months before Edwards had even graduated high school and over eight months before he would play in his first collegiate competition.

What is almost certainly the Dawgs’ only regular season featuring Anthony Edwards ends with an even 15-15 record. Unless the 2020 Bulldogs can replicate the results of 2008’s unlikely winners in next week’s SEC tournament, Georgia may not qualify for any further postseason play.

Crean’s squad, which entered the campaign with high hopes, needs to win the conference tourney to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Unless tournament results prove otherwise, the Dawgs are considered a bubble team for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

A quarterfinal or semifinal appearance in the conference tourney would likely earn them a spot, anything less would likely leave them out. But Georgia basketball fans probably don’t want to think of any more what-ifs.

Though plagued with blown leads and those pesky what-ifs, the Bulldogs’ 2019-2020 campaign was highlighted by several miraculous finishes, wins over Georgia Tech and Auburn, and a slew of NBA-worthy clips from Edwards.

All of that sounds bad. And don’t get me wrong, it’s not great. But here’s the thing: Edwards is still projected as the top NBA draft pick by more than one draft analyst.

This isn’t a moral victory thing. Anyone who watched Georgia’s men’s basketball team all season saw the team fold and surrender late leads on multiple occasions.

To me, a recovering pessimist constantly checking my peripheral vision for any sort of bright side, such results don’t blind me from what I’ve learned to see truth of the matter:

If a star player like Anthony Edwards can come into Georgia’s historically average basketball program and maintain his projected draft position while packing Stegeman Coliseum to the brim, it shows young local talent that they can do the same and receive that fanfare and adoration similar to Edwards’.

That is, before they go get a fat paycheck in the NBA.

Though not assuredly, this could prove vital for a program currently struggling to tread water alongside a strong and balanced Southeastern Conference no longer run just by traditionally powerful Kentucky, Florida, and Tennessee (each of which can usually predict its two annual division games against Georgia as wins).

The Atlanta area is one of the highest-concentrated NBA breeding grounds in the United States. Georgia often lands local four-star recruits but very seldom secures commitments from upper echelon five-stars. The last was current Los Angeles Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in 2011.

Examples: 2018’s Ashton Hagans and E.J. Montgomery enrolled at Kentucky. Wendell Carter enrolled at Duke in 2017. Kobi Simmons enrolled at Arizona in 2016.

So, yeah, in the short term, this isn’t ideal. Especially knowing that .500 winning percentage could’ve been a .533 or a possibly a .567, or heck, maybe even .600!

But since I’m speaking in hypotheticals, Georgia could very well have lost some of their eventual dramatic victories, namely against SMU, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas.

Given what Edwards’ success could mean for the future of Georgia men’s basketball recruiting in the future, I choose to see this year’s 15-15 record as a glass half full.

Even in the short term, the Bulldogs’ hopes aren’t dead. There’s still an entire conference tournament to be played.

Xavier Tillman, Cassius Winston listed as second round picks in latest RookieWire Big Board

Xavier Tillman and Cassius Winston are both projected as second-round picks according to RookieWire’s latest Big Board.

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Our sister site RookieWire recently put out a final NBA Draft Big Board to mark the final week of the NCAA Men’s Basketball regular season and they have two Spartans ranked in range to be drafted in the second round. Michigan State big man was listed at No. 47 while point guard Cassius Winston was up at No. 39.

Here is what they had to say about both players.

Cassius Winston:

“During his four seasons at Michigan State, Cassius Winston averaged 13.1 assists per 40 minutes. His career assist-rate (43.1%) ranks sixth-best among all NCAA players since 2009-10. While a bit undersized, he has been incredibly productive.”

Xavier Tillman:

“Michigan State junior Xavier Tillman is averaging 13.3 points and 10.2 rebounds with 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. He has been among the most prolific pick-and-roll finishers in the NCAA this season, per Synergy. His block percentage (7.0%) ranks Top-15 among all players as well.”

No Aaron Henry on the list, which went all the way up to 75 players. This was a little surprising to me, but good to at least see two Spartans listed.

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Anthony Edwards high on USA TODAY’s NBA Draft Big Board

Georgia basketball star Anthony Edwards is high on USA Today’s NBA Draft big board.

With the 2019-20 NCAA basketball regular season coming to an end, USA TODAY’s Rookie Wire put together its NBA Draft Big Board.

They listed 75 players and had Georgia freshman sensation Anthony Edwards as the No. 3 player on the board.

Edwards trails only LaMelo Ball and Onyeka Okongwu.

Edwards, a shooting guard who came to Georgia with massive expectations, had a solid season in Athens despite the team’s struggles.

Edwards’ numbers have been great, averaging nearly 20 points, five rebounds and three assists. Though Georgia’s season was a disappointment, Edwards gave Dawgnation something to watch and get excited over.

On Edwards, Rookie Wire said:

Under head coach Tom Crean, the University of Georgia freshman has been a revelation in transition offense. Edwards ranks Top-5 in total scoring on these plays, per Synergy, averaging 5.7 points per game. He looks his best when his shot attempts come closer to the rim, especially considering his 6-foot-9 wingspan. Farther from the basket, meanwhile, more than half of his 3-pointers have been unassisted. This shows he is capable of creating his own shot.

Most NBA mock drafts have Edwards going at No. 1 overall, thanks to his superstar potential. If that happens, Edwards would become Georgia’s first ever No. 1 NBA Draft pick.

Georgia basketball earns much-needed win over Arkansas

Tom Crean’s Georgia Bulldogs came out on top over Arkansas in a contest filled with one-sided scoring streaks.

Needing a win to stay in contention for a first-round bye in the SEC tournament, Tom Crean’s Georgia Bulldogs came out on top over Arkansas in a contest filled with one-sided scoring streaks.

Amidst a season plagued with blown leads and resultant losses, Georgia faithful could never feel comfortable with the Bulldogs’ 18-point lead.

The visiting Hogs twice cut the lead to a single point before the home Dawgs sealed the game.

Projected top NBA Draft pick Anthony Edwards took over the final 1:07 of the game, scoring nine of his 26 points in crunch time. Edwards punctuated the game with a ferocious two-handed dunk that sunk Arkansas.

Fellow NBA prospect Rayshaun Hammonds posted 22 points and nine boards.

Despite a lackluster season for Georgia basketball, the NBA’s projected top pick Anthony Edwards has thrown together a rather modest highlight film in what will almost certainly be his only season in Athens.

Watch: Georgia basketball’s Anthony Edwards runs court, lifts for two-handed slam

The NBA’s projected top pick Anthony Edwards has thrown together a highlight film in what will almost certainly be his only season at UGA.

Despite a lackluster season for Georgia basketball, the NBA’s projected top pick Anthony Edwards has thrown together a rather modest highlight film in what will almost certainly be his only season in Athens.

For your viewing pleasure, our own James Morgan gathered and posted a compilation of Ant Man’s nastiest dunks sporting red and black.

In the Bulldogs’ home game against Arkansas, Edwards added another clip to his human highlight reel (if you’re reading this, Dominique Wilkins, we love you).

In the game’s closing moments, Edwards reassured fans that the proper phrase is “Dawgs on Top” as opposed to “Hogs on top.”

To emphasize, here’s another look at how Edwards sprinted down-court and embarrassed five other adults at once:

 

Georgia closed out the game to improve to 15-14 on the season.

Edwards finished the game with 26 points and seven boards.

Updated Warriors future draft picks following the NBA trade deadline

After trading six players at the 2020 NBA trade deadline, the Golden State Warriors have a new crop of draft picks.

The Golden State Warriors were active leading up to the NBA trade deadline with eyes set towards the future. Bob Myers, Kirk Lacob and Steve Kerr moved six players before the 2020 deadline triggering a complete makeover of Golen State’s roster.

Andrew Wiggins was the only player acquired by the Warriors with the rest of their compensation impacting draft season. Before the deadline ended, Golden State stacked six future picks in the NBA draft.

Below is an updated look at the Golden State’s draft picks for the next three seasons, according to RealGM.com.

2020:

-Golden State Warriors own first-round pick (protected top-20)

-Dallas Mavericks second-round pick

-Utah Jazz second-round pick

2021:

-Golden State Warriors own first-round pick

-Minnesota Timberwolves first-round pick (protected top-3)

-Denver Nuggets second-round pick

-Minnesota Timberwolves second-round pick

2022:

-Golden State Warriors own first-round pick

-Golden State Warriors own second-round pick

-Toronto Raptors second-round pick

The Warriors are now without Willie Cauley-Stein, Alec Burks, Glenn Robinson III, D’Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans III and Omari Spellman. However, the team now has a better outlook when it comes to the future.

Prior to the 2019-20 season, the Golden State Warriors had limited draft capital and several expensive contracts on the books. Adding young talent on rookie deals around Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green is a path to preserving Golden State’s chances of remaining in title contention for the future.