A look around the league and the Web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren't always listed in order of importance. That's for you, dear reader, to figure out.
C: Grantland. With the 2013 NBA Draft coming up on Thursday night, high-school hoops coach and Xs-and-Os maven Brett Koremenos identifies four players and teams whose marriage he thinks would prove mutually benefical.
PF: GQ. Likely lottery pick Trey Burke's got a head-start on his fellow 2013 NBA draftees in the style department, getting a Gentlemen's Quarterly co-sign and a spread featuring the former Michigan Wolverine in some college-student-budget gear. (We're guessing Mr. Burke'll be shopping in slightly ritzier shops after Thursday.)
SF: Sports Illustrated. Paul Forrester on the evolutionary challenges facing recent draftees like Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond, as well as near-future selections like Cody Zeller: "For big men in today's game, the process of becoming a pro has proved increasingly complicated."
SG: Eye on Basketball. Zach Harper breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of 10 big men who'll hear their names called on Thursday.
PG: SB Nation. Jonathan Tjarks on how, despite significant increases in international scouting and prospect evaluation efforts, players like German point guard Dennis Schroeder, Greek youngster Giannis Adetokunbo (or, perhaps, Antetokoumpo — there is apparently not consensus on this just yet) and Russian wing Sergey Karasev remain relatively unknown and, perhaps as a result, better bets to go to established and patient teams: "For a young player, it's better to have a small role on a good team than a big role on a bad one. Coming off the bench didn't prevent James Harden from getting a max contract."
6th: Grantland. After Thursday's draft, we're pushing full-steam ahead for free agency on July 1, and Zach Lowe's got a half-dozen questions worth considering as we approach the league's annual cash grab.
7th: Miami Herald. Dan LeBatard on the role that luck played in the NBA Finals: "Really? The difference between a parade and the worst feeling in the world is one shot?"
8th: CSN Philly. The odd silence and mishandling of initial (and apparently inaccurate) reports of CEO Adam Aron's firing have led John Gonzalez, among others, to wonder what's going on with the retooled but seemingly still rudderless Philadelphia 76ers front office: "... why does it feel like the Sixers are adrift even though they recently restructured the franchise masthead?"
9th: UniWatch. Check out some pretty dope (and some other not-quite-so-dope) fan-submitted jersey redesigns for the soon-to-be-rebranded Charlotte Hornets.
10th: SB Nation. Ben Swanson made up dinosaur mascots for all the NBA teams because the Toronto Raptors are reportedly thinking about becoming something other than the Raptors. (It's the offseason. Have some fun.)
Got a link or tip for Ball Don't Lie? Give me a shout at devine (at) yahoo-inc.com, or follow me on Twitter.
No comments:
Post a Comment