Tag: Utah Jazz

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 ESPN, CBS Sports, SI.com, Bleacher 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.

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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.

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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.

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Despite playing hard, Warriors can’t close out Jazz, losing 114-106

Despite a strong performance from Alec Burks and the Golden State bench, the Warriors couldn’t close out the Utah Jazz, dropping their 22nd loss on the young season, 114-106.

It’s beginning to turn into a running theme for the Golden State Warriors, wire-to-wire tight game against a favored opponent, but when it counts at the end, they cannot find a way to close.

The Warriors were without Draymond Green and Eric Paschall, while being a 13.5-point underdog in Utah, Golden State battled The Jazz into the final minutes. However, in the end, the talent of Donovan Mitchell and Bojan Bogdanovic willed the Jazz to a 114-106 win.

The game came down to three possessions, with a little over one minute left in the fourth quarter. Golden State was down two, and Willie Cauley-Stein missed a crucial dunk, that turned into an open three for Joe Inglis giving the Jazz a five-point cushion.

The following offensive trip for Golden State ended with Alec Burks stepping out of bounds, giving the Jazz the ball up-five, and only 60 seconds on the clock. The Jazz ended the game on an 11-two run to seal the 114-106 win. The Warriors have now lost 10 of their last 12.

The Marquese Chriss Show

After an impressive performance against the New York Knicks, Marquese Chriss parlayed his hot streak into Utah with another solid game. Chriss scored 12-points, but made a crucial impact on the boards, grabbing 13-rebounds— a career-high. All 23 minutes from Chriss turned up the energy for Golden State.

With little under a minute remaining in the third quarter, Chriss appeared to awkwardly make knee-to-knee contact with Emmanuel Mudiay in the final minute of the third quarter in Utah. Chriss hobbled to the bench in pain and quickly limped back into the visitor locker room with a knee contusion. Luckily for Golden State, Chriss promptly returned to the court.

Chriss has been one of the Warriors’ best surprises throughout the season, and now registering two-straight double-doubles, he’s earning more playing time.

Return of the Burk 

The former member of the Utah Jazz, Alec Burks, brought it to his former team Friday night. Burks notched his seventh 20-point performance this season against the team that traded him in 2018.

Burks led all Warriors with 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting.

Without Green and Paschall, Burks took over as the primary scorer in Kerr’s offense and thrived. Burks was getting to the bucket like a savvy veteran, even scoring on a turnaround bank shot à la, Tim Duncan.

Bench Mob

Despite being without Green and Paschall, the Warriors bench unit stepped up in Utah. Golden State’s bench dominated Utah’s second unite, outscoring them 52-12.

Damion Lee, Jacob Evans and Chriss all scored in double-digits, combining for 46-points, an impressive number for a thin unit away from home. Now somewhat healthy, bench players aren’t forced into playing time like earlier in the season. With fewer minutes available, the competition off the bench will get tighter as the year progresses.

 

Lu Dort providing OKC with valuable defensive minutes during roadtrip

With Terrance Ferguson sidelined due to injury, Thunder rookie Lu Dort has stepped up to play the role of defensive stopper.

Oklahoma City is down to Dort.

The Thunder rookie provided OKC with valuable minutes during the team’s 104-90 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday. With Terrance Ferguson still sidelined with hip soreness, Dort played the role of defensive stopper against the Jazz and guard Donovan Mitchell.

Monday’s game was just the third appearance for the Thunder by the two-way player. Dort did spend the preseason with Oklahoma City but has spent the majority of his time since October in the NBA’s G-League with the OKC Blue.

As such, there isn’t a lot of film available for teams to study, and as Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman pointed out when Dort was matched up against Mitchell, the Jazz guard didn’t seem to know what to do.

The third-year point guard suddenly lunged forward, shifting side to side. Dort backpedaled with deliberate steps.

Mitchell crossed to his left and drove to the basket. Dort shuffled in lockstep. Until they reached the free throw line. Mitchell raised his right forearm and knocked Dort to the ground. Dort didn’t get the offensive foul call, but an off-balance Mitchell air-balled the scoop shot.

Billy Donovan has gone to Dort out of necessity. As previously mentioned, Ferguson on with the team on the road trip but has not played, Hamidou Diallo is out with an elbow sprain, and on Monday night, Danilo Gallinari couldn’t go due to an ankle injury.

Dort has scored much in either of the last two games, scoring just two against Portland and nine against Utah while picking up six and four personal fouls, respectively. But he’s drawn tough defensive assignments, and his teammates have seen the value that Dort has been able to bring.

“I mean, Dort,” Thunder guard Dennis Schröder said, “he did a great job just pursuing, making him (Mitchell) uncomfortable. It was a great team effort as well, but Lu, he deserved that one. And he scored as well.”

Oklahoma City continues their road trip on Wednesday night when Dort and the Thunder take on the Kings in Sacramento. Tip-off is at 9 p.m. CT.

Steven Adams super proud of his first-career charge

Adams recorded a double-double in Monday night’s win over the Jazz, but he’s most proud of taking the first charge of his seven-year career.

Most people are proud of themselves when they’ve accomplished something new.

Steven Adams is no different.

In Monday’s 104-90 win over the Utah Jazz, Adams had a career-defining moment: he took the first charge of his career.

The play happened with just under 6:30 to play the third quarter and the Thunder leading 64-57. With Adams guarding him, Rudy Gobert crossed over and started to drive towards the basket, lowering his shoulder into Adams’ chest as he went.

Adams hit the deck, the whistle blew, and the first charge Adams ever took was called.

Adams was immediately elated, smiling, fist-pumping and high-fiving his teammates on the bench.

He recorded another double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, but everyone on Monday paled in comparison to the charge.

After the game, Adams made it clear to reporters that taking his first charge in seven years was a headline-worthy event.

“However, did you guys see the charge?” Adams said. “That’s the first one of my career. I don’t usually brag, but it’s the first one of my career. Seven years. So, write about that please. Screen shot it. Whatever you guys got to do. Send it to me.”

Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman did note that Jazz head coach, Quin Snyder, did try to “steal the moment” by issuing a coach’s challenge. But the call was confirmed and no one can ever take that charge away from Steven Adams.

Schröder’s 27 leads Thunder to first winning streak of season

Dennis Schröder came off the bench to score a game-high 27 points as the Thunder demolished the Jazz on Monday night, 104-90.

Oklahoma City is on a three-game winning streak.

Their 104-90 takedown of the Utah Jazz on Monday night gave OKC their first winning streak, as well as continued their best stretch of the season, as they’ve won five of their last six.

The Thunder were led by Dennis Schröder, who came off the bench to score a game-high 27 points, shooting 11-of-21 from the field.

In a game where bench points made a significant difference, Oklahoma City’s outstanding sixth man alone outscored the Utah bench, 27-23. In total, the Thunder got 45 points from their second unit.

When asked after the game what has made him so successful in his role, according to ESPN, Schröder told reporters he’s focused on making an impact.

“I just try to impact the game when I get in,” said Schröder, who set his career-high of 41 points in a game against the Jazz last season. “Try to make the right plays offensively and defensively. It’s just energy coming in and playing with pace.”

Four other OKC players were in double-digits against the Jazz: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20, while Chris Paul, Steven Adams, and Abdel Nader had 15, 11, and 10, respectively.

Darius Bazley got his first career start in place of an injured Danilo Gallinari, who missed Monday’s game with an ankle sprain.

The Thunder were also without Terrance Ferguson due to hip soreness.

Oklahoma City has Tuesday off, before taking on the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.

Danilo Gallinari out against Jazz with sprained ankle

Gallinari is averaging 18.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in 30.4 minutes per game this year, shooting 44.6% from the floor and 40.3% from three.

The Thunder will be without one of their leading scorers on Monday night when they take on Utah.

Billy Donovan announced Monday evening that Danilo Gallinari would miss OKC’s game against the Jazz with a sprained ankle.

The team did not provide additional details about how Gallinari suffered the injury.

As tweeted out by Erik Horne of The Athletic, Donovan told reporters prior to tip-off that whoever plays in Gallo’s place, likely won’t be ‘as efficient and effective’ as he is.

“We’ve got to create ball, player movement, generate good shots. I don’t care who else is out there, they’re probably not going to be as efficiently effective as Gallo is. That’s what he is and that’s what he does exceptionally well.”

Gallinari is averaging 18.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in 30.4 minutes per game this year. He’s shooting 44.6% from the floor and 40.3% from beyond the arc.

Oklahoma City will also be without Terrance Ferguson, who missed Sunday’s win over the Trail Blazers due to hip soreness.

Darius Bazley will start the start against the Jazz in place of Gallinari, it’ll be the first start of his NBA career.

In 22 games, Bazley is averaging 4.1 points and 3.6 rebounds, attempting just 3.8 shots per contest.

Report: Gordon Hayward could be returning to action soon

Celtics wing Gordon Hayward has been having one of the best seasons of his career

The Boston Celtics could be having one of their best players return to the floor soon.

Per Taylor Snow of Celtics.com, Gordon Hayward said to reporters he could return from a broken hand injury as soon as Monday night, when the Celtics will play the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hayward suffered a broken hand injury on Nov. 9 against the San Antonio Spurs, and he has been out for the past 13 games.

Here’s what Hayward said regarding his current status, per Celtics.com. 

“The last couple of days have been really good,” he said in regard to his rehabilitation progress, before making a shocking declaration: “Tomorrow’s a possibility.”

Hayward was expected to return around late December, per Snow. Hayward said his hand is healed, but he’ll still need to regain some strength in it and work on getting back into game condition.

The last time the Celtics played the Cavs, Hayward had a career night, dropping a season-high 39 points on 85% shooting from the field in the team’s 119-113 win. The stellar performance is just part of what’s been one of Hayward’s best seasons.

Before suffering the hand injury, Hayward was averaging 18.9 points per game, his highest average since the 2016-17 season; that season was his last with the Utah Jazz. This season, Hayward is averaging career-highs in field goal percentage (55.5) and rebounds (7.1).

Hayward is the Celtics’ fourth-leading scorer this season behind Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. With those four being the core of the team, the Celtics are 16-5 and ranked second in the Eastern Conference.

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Four potential Kevin Love trade destinations

HoopsHype breaks down the latest Kevin Love trade rumors and examines potential destinations for the five-time All-Star.

After a long, painfully dry drought of trade rumors in the NBA, one that was historically lengthy, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the silence on Friday by reporting that the Cleveland Cavaliers are finally ready to hear offers for five-time All-Star Kevin Love.

If one deal is on the way, it would make sense considering the stage of rebuilding Cleveland is currently in (very early on in the process), and how much time is left on Love’s contract (three more seasons after this one). Simply put: Love doesn’t make much sense on the Cavaliers’ roster the way it’s construed at the moment, and he would be better served suiting up for a contender.

Now, that doesn’t mean finding a suitor for Love will be easy. He’s 31, somewhat injury prone and owed a ton of money – over $120 million, to be exact.

Still, Love is putting up good numbers this season (16.7 ppg, 10.7 rpg  on 44.6/37.6/88.1 shooting splits) and if he is made available, contenders will come calling.

So we decided to break down four potential trade destinations for the former champion. Without further ado, let’s check them out.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

UTAH JAZZ

The Utah Jazz are off to a slow start this season, which isn’t totally out of the ordinary for them under head coach Quin Snyder. Over the past couple of campaigns, Utah has begun at a mediocre level before going on long runs and establishing themselves as a Top 4-caliber team in the West.

So far in 2019-20, the Jazz are 12-10 and boast a net rating of  +0.1, which is about as mediocre as you could get. And considering the expectations they had coming into the season after the additions of Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic, among others, Utah has been pretty disappointing.

One area they could use help in is at the 4-spot, where Snyder has turned to Royce O’Neal and Jeff Green to be the primary options, and the duo have responded by averaging a combined 13.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

Love’s production would far exceed that. What’s more, from a basketball fit sense, the big man’s floor-spacing would form a wonderful synergy with the paint-bound Rudy Gobert, whose defensive prowess would mask Love’s deficiencies on the other end of the floor.

Finding the salaries to match in order to make a deal between the Jazz and Cavs work is tricky, especially with the struggling Joe Ingles ineligible to be traded until the offseason, but a trade can be found using a core package including Bogdanovic, Dante Exum and Ed Davis. Add a Top-10 protected first-rounder and that could be enough to entice Cleveland, who would be acquiring one elite asset and a promising young player on a relatively cheap deal in Exum, who could use a change of scenery.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

BROOKLYN NETS

Another playoff team in need of a power forward, the Brooklyn Nets would also make sense as potential Love suitors.

Without an injured Kevin Durant, Brooklyn isn’t expected to compete for a title this season, but acquiring Love would raise their ceiling and put them on the same tier as everyone behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the East. Plus, with Kyrie Irving in the fold and Durant set to return next season, having the modern version of the 2015-16 title-winning Cavaliers, with Durant playing the role of LeBron James, could appeal to the Nets.

Love’s post game, one that will be able to flourish again on a team with more threats to score besides just him, will garner the Nets simple buckets when needed, while his floor-spacing would fit well next to a rim-diver like Jarrett Allen. Plus, a frontcourt of Allen and Love would absolutely dominate  opponents on the glass, and the extra possessions gained from the duo’s offensive rebounding could come quite valuable when the playoffs roll around.

Again, due to Love’s massive salary, finding the right swap of salaries here is tricky, but a package including DeAndre Jordan, Joe Harris (he would be tough to lose but it’d be either him or Spencer Dinwiddie, and the Nets would likely rather keep the latter) and Taurean Prince would come close.

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

PHOENIX SUNS

The Phoenix Suns are fighting to reach the playoffs this season for the first time with Devin Booker, and acquiring Love could help them achieve that goal, especially with their need at the 4-spot.

Phoenix’s current starter at power forward, Dario Saric, is doing an admirable job manning the position, averaging 10.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, but there’s little doubt he’d be better suited for a bench role where he can make plays and attack the basket against weaker second units.

Love at power forward for the Suns would quickly strengthen their starting five; his screen-setting and pick-and-pop prowess would mesh wonderfully with Booker, his floor-spacing would fit well next to the pick-and-rolling Deandre Ayton (due back from suspensions on) and his scoring would give Phoenix a legitimate No. 2 option to get buckets.

Ricky Rubio, Booker, Kelly Oubre, Love and Ayton would form a strong starting lineup, with a healthy blend of both young talent and experienced production.

Additionally, thanks to Tyler Johnson’s bloated (but expiring) $19.3 million salary, finding an acceptable trade between the two parties is a lot easier than it is for other suitors. Phoenix would just have to add just under $5 million in outgoing salary, and some draft capital, to make a reasonable offer for Love.

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

BOSTON CELTICS

The Boston Celtics are a team that has been rumored to have interest in Love at different points over recent years, so it makes sense that Woj mentioned them in his original report on ESPN on Friday.

With lineups featuring so many athletic wings, so much ball movement and an All-Star point guard, the one area Boston is a bit lacking is in the frontcourt, where Daniel Theis, Enes Kanter and Robert Williams are taking the majority of the minutes at the 5.

Love would present an immediate upgrade over any of those guys, and thanks to the versatility defensively of monster point-stoppers like Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, Love’s lack of chops as a defender at center could be masked. The Celtics could also choose to keep Theis, an adept rim-protector, starting at center, play Love at the 4 and surround the two bigs with Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum and Brown to form a nasty-yet-well-balanced starting five.

Of course, any deal between the two Eastern Conference rivals would have to include Gordon Hayward, who actually earns more than the player Boston would theoretically be trading for in Love (the swingman is making $32.7 million this season to Love’s $28.9 million).

Considering Boston is 7-4 (while boasting the league’s No. 8 net rating) since Hayward went down, and with how well Brown and Tatum are playing, there’s a chance general manager Danny Ainge feels comfortable moving the former Utah Jazz forward to fill another deficient spot on the roster.

After an awkward and disappointing 2018-19 season, the Celtics look quite impressive thus far this campaign. And Love would only make them better.

You can follow Frank Urbina on Twitter: @FrankUrbina_.

LeBron James claps back after Jazz broadcasters criticize his shoeless celebration

The Lakers finished a dominant game Wednesday with LeBron James on the bench, so LBJ took the shoes off his feet and gave them away to young fans … only to be criticized for celebrating while wearing socks on the bench. No good deed goes unpunished.

The Lakers finished a dominant game Wednesday with LeBron James on the bench, so LBJ took the shoes off his feet and gave them away to young fans … only to be criticized for celebrating while wearing socks on the bench. No good deed goes unpunished.