When watching basketball, you probably take the rules for granted. They’re far more complex than you could ever imagine. The loose ball foul is one of the most intricate. Unless you’re fully aware of how this foul works, there is a good chance that you’re not going to fully understand the game. Simultaneously, you should never hit the court until you understand how this foul works. Below, you will find the loose ball foul explained in great detail so you can find out how it works and how to avoid committing this type of foul.
What Is a Loose Ball Foul?
First and foremost, you should take a look at the basic definition of the loose ball foul. It is nothing more than a foul that has been committed when the ball is not being controlled by either team. While it is possible for this foul to be committed during other events, it most commonly happens when players are attempting to rebound the ball. The over the top foul is the most common.
This occurs when the player has been boxed out and they attempt to rebound the ball. Instead, they end up making illegal contact with a player on the opposite team. In return, they’re going to be called for a call.
Not A Personal Or Team Foul
Another thing to note is that the loose ball foul is not considered a personal or team foul. However, it does come with some potential repercussions. If the team is in the penalty, the other team will end up receiving free throws when this type of foul is committed. If this is not the case, the opposite team will be given the opportunity to inbound the ball. Either way, committing too many fouls can be very detrimental to your team’s chances. Therefore, you should do everything humanly possible to avoid committing the loose ball foul.
As you already know, making an assist in the NBA is just as important as making the shot. In order for a team to be good, its players need to know how to pass the ball at the most opportune time. There is a really good chance that you like looking at NBA statistics.
If so, you’ve probably noticed something that is referred to as an advanced assist. What is an advanced assist? Below, you’re going to discover the advanced assist in the NBA explained in greater depth. Read the guide to find out how it works and what it means.
Two Metrics of the Advanced Assist in the NBA
Ultimately, advanced assist is not something that is done on the court. It isn’t a complex assist that most players couldn’t pull off. Instead, the advanced assist is actually a combination of two other metrics. It is metric that is acquired after combining the player’s assist ratio and assist percentage. It might be possible to formulate the advanced assist in other ways, but this is the most common method.
The assist percentage is pretty easy to understand. It is the percentage of field goals made when the player has passed to a teammate. Stephen Curry has been exceptionally good in this particular category. Just a few years ago, he had a 46.8% assist percentage. This means that his teammates made 46.8% of their shots when Curry assisted and was still on the court.
The assist ratio is a little different. It tells you a great deal more about how often the player in question passes the ball. It is a breakdown of the player’s possessions that ultimately finish with an assist.
The Problem
While the aforementioned factors are indeed important, there is one slight problem here. These two metrics depend heavily on the other player’s ability to make the shot. This could ultimately hurt a good passer who is playing on a bad team. This is why the NBA has started adding new metrics to the equation. Several years ago, the league introduced new SportVU Player Tracking Data. This provided fans with access to more information, such as Passes Per Game, Secondary Assists, Assist Opportunities, Free throw Assists, and even Points Created By Assists.
Obviously, this information is far more in-depth and it gives fans most insight into how their favorite players are performing out there.
Advanced Stats Are Just Beginning
There is no denying the fact that fans like these “advanced” stats. It gives them more information about the game and the performances being put up. Simultaneously, it could be a good thing for people who are going to be betting on the sport at some point. The Assist Opportunities category definitely provides more accurate insight. This can help eliminate the player’s need to depend on their teammates’ shooting ability to build their stats.
With this in mind, there is a good chance that this trend is going to continue well into the future. More and more advanced stats will likely be added to the score books at some point in the near future.
In light of the barrage of articles talking about Cedi Osman and LeBron James' friendship in both offseason workouts and SMS exchanges, we woud like to reveal a text message exchange between the two former teammates:
[This is a parody]
cedi: sup lebron [11:30 AM]
lebron: yo [4:42 PM]
cedi: did you see kawhi last nite??? krazy! [4:43 PM]
lebron: nah [10:52 PM]
cedi: oh, cool cool. whatchu up to tonight?? [10:53 PM]
lebron: chillin [1:31 AM]
cedi: noice! im in your area at club X now with some friends, wana join??? [1:31 AM]
lebron: sry fell asleep [8:32 AM]
cedi: oh no worries!! whatcha up to today??? [8:33 AM]
lebron: space jam 2 [12:52 PM]
cedi: coooool!! if you need an extra i am so down to join!! [12:52 PM]
Basketball has 5 positions, each with a corresponding position number from 1 to 5.
Most NBA fans do not claim to know it all. However, most of them know enough that they have earned their bragging rights. One thing is for sure, knowing the most important aspects of the game will play in your favor. As a hardcore fan, your knowledge will be challenged. Learning the moves, positions and actions of the players will be your first challenge. To help jumpstart your effort, a list of the NBA basketball positions are listed below.
Point Guard: #1
One of the most important positions in basketball, the point guard has many responsibilities. These responsibilities are getting the basketball from point A to B without a turnover. In the past, point guards rarely stepped out their roles to execute moves outside their range. Today, point guards will oftentimes enter key areas to secure a point.
Point guards must be intelligent on all levels. To be effective, they must be able to read the defense and make moves that secure points.
Shooting Guard (Off Guard): #2
Shooting guards do not require as much height as some of the other positions. In fact, most shooting guards are slightly shorter than their teammates. What is required of shooting guards is consistency. These players must be able to show consistency on the outside, near the basket and at midrange. They must also be able to achieve successful layups.
Shooting guards typically step in when the point guard is not in the position to handle the ball. For example, the point guard is held up by a defender, the shooting guard will step up and advance the ball up the court.
Small Forward: #3
Of all the positions, the small forward is the most diverse defensively and offensively. To hold the small forward position, the player must possess both offensive and defensive skills. They must be able to shoot inside and outside, as well as create shots for teammates.
Small forwards are very active on the court. So, they require a high level of athleticism, intellect and flexibility. They must also be a team player.
Power Forward: #4
Power forwards require height. In most cases, the power forward is the second tallest of all the players on the team. This position also requires intelligence, good decision-making skills and strength. Power forwards are usually positioned near the rim. While some power forwards stays in close proximity of the net, others will change their positions often, moving from near the rim to the three-point line.
Center: #5
In basketball, the center provides help defense when necessary, stays near the rim, receives short passes and scores off rebounds from offensive positions. The most important responsibility of the center is providing the passer angles that will earn points. Other responsibilities include rebounding the ball and defending the basket. While great shot-blocking skills are not required to be a center, taking up space and forcing the opponents to switch up their moves and shots is a necessity.
Basketball Positions Summary:
All positions in basketball play important roles. Being a team player, following the rules and helping a teammate is what makes a great basketball player.
Are you a hardcore NBA fan? If so, you have probably found yourself wondering what it is like to be a professional basketball player and learn cool basketball moves to make you like your player. You may have even gone so far as to mimic your favorite players.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to have the same qualities as the NBA players. One of the best ways to mimic the pros is by doing to the “moves”.
The moves are the actions utilized by basketball players. Some of the greatest moves in basketball have earned players notoriety.
Below, you will discover a list of five great basketball moves that you can easily learn:
Dribble – Crossover
Dribbling is just a natural part of basketball. To get the ball from point A to B, the player has to dribble the ball up and down the court. There are various types of dribble with the crossover being at the top of the list. The crossover can be utilized by players to help keep control of the basketball. The crossover is unique because it utilizes both the right and left hand, instead of a single hand like basic dribbling.
Running down the court, the player bounces the basketball in front of them, switching from the right hand to the left along the way. The crossover works great to fend off defenders trying to gain control of the ball.
Dribble – Through The Legs
As mentioned above, dribbles are just a natural part of basketball. With that said, some of these moves work better for some players than others. Through the legs is a type of dribble that is similar to the crossover. The main difference between the moves is where the player holds the basketball. Instead of the ball being positioned directly in front of the player like in the crossover, the ball is positioned between the player’s legs.
Dribble – Behind The Back
Behind the back is a type of dribble is similar to through the legs and the crossover. The big difference is the player places the ball behind his back to prevent the defender from snatching it away. When the player puts the basketball behind his back, he will utilize the opposite hand to make the switch. This is a great way to confuse defenders.
Dribble – In-And-Out
The in-and-out dribble is a great way to trick defenders. In fact, it is so effective that all of the NBA players rely on it to maintain control of the ball. Like the crossover, the in-and-out fends off defenders. To perform the move, you follow the actions of the crossover, but you also must pretend to utilize your head or shoulder to fend off the defender.
Dribble – Hesitation
The hesitation is a popular move utilized by players when trying to create shots for teammates. To execute the hesitation, the player speedily dribbles down the court, taking split-second slow-downs before speeding past the defenders.
Spin Move
The spin move is one of the best basketball moves, aside from dribbles. Most basketball players will agree that the spin move is one of the most difficult to execute. One of the biggest obstacles faced with executing the spin move is avoiding a violation.
Some people like playing basketball. Others prefer to coach. If you fit into the latter category, you will find out what becoming a basketball coach is going to be much more difficult than you could ever imagine. But it is possible – read more to find out:
You’ll need to work hard and continue forward until you achieve your ultimate goal of becoming a basketball coach.
In order to become a successful basketball coach, you need to take the right steps along the way. Within this guide, you’ll learn more about the steps that you need to follow.
The Basics
First and foremost, you should learn about the basics of being a basketball coach. While it depends on the circumstances at hand, there is a possibility that you’ll be able to earn as much as $31,000 a year. This was the median salary for scouts and coaches in 2015. In order to become a basketball coach, you’ll need to achieve a Bachelor’s degree. You can obtain a degree in pretty much any field including physical education, sports medicine or even exercise science.
Gaining Experience in Coaching Basketball
Remember that you’re not going to exit college and become a professional basketball coach. Instead, you need to gain some experience along the way. With that being said, you should know that there are several ways to obtain experience. For starters, you can spend time playing on a basketball team. If you do this, you’ll be able to learn things from the inside. This will allow you to connect easier with the players.
Alternatively, you can try becoming an assistant coach. Either option is going to work exceptionally well.
It will ensure that you’re able to learn the ins and outs of coaching. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to obtain a license and begin working in public schools across the United States.
Important Basketball Coaching Skills
At the end of the day, certain skills are needed to become a basketball coach. To be successful, you’re going to need to enhance your communication skills. After all, you’ll need to make sure that you’re able to communicate with the players and the assistant coaches. You’ll also need to be quick on your feet. Make sure that you can make quick, effective decisions. You’ll also need to take the time to learn all about the rules of the game. If you do not know anything about the rules, you are going to fail before you get started.
Spend some time watching tapes and reading books about the game. This combination will make a huge difference in the long run.
Obtaining A Coaching License
If you’re going to be teaching basketball in the United States, you’ll probably start off in a school. In order to do that, you will need to obtain a license. There are specific guidelines that must be followed along the way. Also, you’ll need experience and a degree to get the necessary license. Just remember that the rules may vary from one state to the next. Therefore, you should study up on the rules in your state before moving forward. Be sure to do that and you’ll be one step closer to achieving your dream!
Are you new at basketball? If so, it is likely that you know very little about the sport and how many players can be on a basketball team.
Basketball is one of the most popular sports on all levels, including minor and major leagues. One of the first things you will need to know is how many players it takes to make up a basketball team.
Below, you will read about how many players per team, roster, and different leagues:
Basketball Teams
Whether you’re talking about the NCAA, NBA or high school basketball, you can guarantee that the numbers of players on each team are going to be the same. After all, high school coaches want to prepare their players for the bigger leagues. Therefore, they’re going to have the same number of players on the court simultaneously.
The number of teams in each league varies. For instance, you might find more teams in the FIBA than the NBA and vice versa.
How Many Players on a Basketball Team?
So, how many players can you expect to see on the court at any given time? When it comes down to it, each team will need five players on the court. If they do not have five players, they may be required to forfeit the game. This would make them the losers and automatically declare the other team the winner. Just remember that there are actually more players on the team overall. Only five can play at a time, but there may very well be more players. After all, the team is going to need reserves.
In the NBA, there will be five starters and five reserves. It is only possible to have 12 active players at once. Five of the starters will begin the game. After that, they can be substituted by benched or reserved players. Either way, each NBA team needs at least 10 players. On a middle school team, there will need to be 12 players on average. Usually, there is a maximum of 15. The maximum number of players on an NBA team’s roster is 15.
Five Players Per Team Plus Reserves
At the end of the day, the numbers are pretty much universal. Whether you’re playing at the amateur, high school or professional level, you can guarantee that there will be five players from each team on the court at any given time. There will be reserve players to fill in for these starters when they get tired or injured.
Have you been working on your basketball skills to no avail? If so, you are not alone. Thousands of people struggle to get better at one of the most popular sports in the world, basketball.
Whether you dream about becoming an NBA star or a member of a local team, improving your skills will definitely push you in the right direction. Below, you will discover several tips to help jumpstart your effort.
What Basketball Skills You Need To Work On:
Every basketball player has strengths and weaknesses. For example, a player may be great at the free throw line but struggle endlessly at the three-point line. Whatever the case may be, it is crucial to know what you need to work on. Identifying your weaknesses is the only way to figure that out. Are you good at rebounding? Are you good at dunking? These are questions that you need to ask yourself. Jot down your weaknesses, so you know what to work on during workouts.
Do not forget about your strengths, because you will still need to work on them as well. The more you know about yourself will definitely play in your favor. Before you know it, you will see improvement in your game.
Learn To Be Available to Practice
There is no doubt that some players rarely get their hands on the ball, even though they are part of the starting lineup. If you are currently a member of a basketball team, you will need to take advantage of every opportunity you get. Regardless, you will need to prove yourself to your coach and other members of the team. Showing the other players and your coach that you are always willing to step in and give it your all will ensure you more playtime.
Work On Your Scoring
The only way to score in basketball is to shoot the ball through the hoop. While this seems like an easy task, there are always going to be obstacles in the way. For one, you have the defense right in your face and second, you have the other members of the offense wanting to get their hands on the ball. And, do not forget the fact that the clock is ticking down while you are in control of the ball. At this point, if you allow your emotions to get the best of you, the end results will surely not be good.
There are several things that you will need to do to improve your scoring. Work on improving your focus, shooting form and self-esteem. Combining these tasks with dribbling and shooting exercises is the only way you will see improvement in your scoring.
Create A Basketball Workout
If you ask some of the top professional athletes about their workouts, they will respond by saying repetitive. MMA fighters, football players, boxers and other athletes typically follow the same workout routine day in and day out. While this seems ridiculous, there are many benefits to following the same workout. For one, it allows you to focus on your weaknesses better, while still allowing you to find ways to utilize your strengths to improve your overall skills.
Once you create a basketball workout, it may need to be altered from time to time. As you build your experience level, you learn more about your weaknesses and strengths. So, you can utilize this information to make the necessary alterations to ensure the maximum results.
Create A Doable Basketball Practice Schedule
There is no way that you will ever be able to improve your basketball skills without regular exercise. Now, this does not necessarily mean that you have to practice every single day. Instead, you will need to work out at least three times a week. While it never hurts to spend as much time as possible practicing, too much practice will start to feel more like work. The key to getting the most out of your workouts is to keep it fun.
Find A Basketball Practice Partner
As mentioned above, practicing can be boring and routine. During these times, you may feel inclined to skip your workouts, which is never a good idea. Finding a partner with the same goals is highly recommended. This individual will provide you with that push you need to get out there and practice. You can also lean on this person for support on those you feel like giving up. As you are relying on your partner to provide the much-needed support to work on your basketball skills, you will also need to be there to support her/him as well.
The height of a basketball hoop is the most important basketball measurement – if you master it, you can score on the court from anyhwere.
There is no denying that basketball is an exciting sport. It has one of the most challenging schedules of any sport and the tides of a game can turn under just a few minutes. This is just a few of the many things that makes basketball so exciting.
If you are a fan there is a good chance that you have your favorite players that you follow around. You probably even have a favorite league that you like to follow around.
Maybe you are an NBA fan or maybe, you prefer the WNBA. Whatever the situation is if you are going to play like your favorite teams you need to understand the regulations.
Consider The Size Of The Court
When most people think about sizing their hoops they don’t tend to think about the size of the court in general. The general size of the court can play a dramatic role in which is the height of the hoop is set. For instance, if you don’t have much running room, you might prefer a lower hoop so that you can dunk easier. Most typical NBA courts are 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. The NCAA and WNBA will use courts that are identical. NCAA and WNBA courts are exactly 94 feet long by 50 feet wide. High school courts fall a bit shorter as they are only 84 feet long with a width of 50 feet. Junior courts shrink down even further to the size of 74 feet long by 42 feet wide.
These are the official sizes of the courts based on each individual basketball league. However, it should be noted that when it comes to FBIA courts they are regulated at 91.86 feet by 49.21 feet. These are the types of courts that will be used for Olympic and international gameplay.
Understand The Backboard
In order to understand the height of the hoop, you need to understand the entire setup of the rim. A basketball rim alone would not be considered a regulated basketball hoop. In order for the system to be par with professional regulations, you are going to need a backboard. A backboard is nothing more than a vertical board that has a hoop attached to it. Sometimes these boards are constructed out of wood and sometimes they are constructed from plexiglass type materials. Most backboards that are used in professional NBA and WNBA will consist of rectangular designs. However, when it comes to recreational hoops the player has a number of designs and styles to choose from. If you want to play like the pros, you will want to opt for a backboard that is rectangular in size.
The Height Of An NBA Hoop
With a little bit of research, you will find that the official height of an NBA hoop is approximately 10 feet. This height was designated when the game was first invented. It was a game that was created by James Naismith and he drafted the first initial rule set to the game. It is pretty strange to say that over 125 of existence the official height has remained the same.
The Height Of The WNBA Hoop
It should be noted that the height of the WNBA hoop stands at 10 feet as well. This is the exact same for the NBA league.
The Height Of The NCAA Hoop
The height of the NCAA hoop is also ten feet from the ground, but there are some adjustments to the backboard. For instance, in order to be considered regulation the backboard must be 6 feet wide by 42 inches tall. The hoop will be 18 inches in diameter.
Height For International Play, Fiba, Australia
It should be noted that the height of international hoops, even those in Australia are considered regulation at 10 feet.
The Famous Dwight Howard 12 Foot Hoop Dunk
The NBA made a special exception for the 2009 Slam Dunk competition when Dwight Howard dunked on a 12 foot high basketball hoop. What was remarkable is that he dunked quite easily, leading speculators to wonder if he could dunk on a 13 foot, 14 foot, or even 15 foot basketball hoop!!
A quintuple is an almost imaginary statistic in the NBA, defined as a player having a minimum of ten (or more) points, blocks, assists, rebounds and steals in a single game. In other other words, if done, it might just be one of the greatest accomplishments ever made by a single player in any professional sport.
It’s such a difficult thing to accomplish that not even the greatest players to ever play in the NBA can make a claim to have come anywhere close to it. Well, not necessarily. The NBA’s greatest earned their titles because they were absolute behemoths, so, kinda.
Has a player ever recorded a 10-10-10-10-10 in NBA?
To get straight to the point – no. It’s never been done, and unless a generational, maybe even a one-in-a-lifetime player pops out nowhere and accomplishes it, it will likely never be done. To be fair, some players have come a decent way towards this incredible feat.
Hakeem Olajuwon
In On 3/10/87, Hakeem produced 38-17-6-7-12 box score. He was just box score 7 more points off. He would later go on to fall just 6 box score points away in 1990, and again 9 box score points short against Milwaukee. In this game, he managed a quadruple double, a feat only accomplished by three other players ever.
David Robinson
David Robinson, commonly referred to as ‘The Admiral’ played his entire career at the Spurs, and on 2/17/1994 he had a box score of 34-10-10-2-10. That’s just 8 points shy of the elusive quintuple double. That stat sheet made him the fourth and most recent player to record a quadruple double in a game.
Chris Webber
This former rookie of the year and 5-time All star ended his 1999 season with an impressive 25-15-8 -3- 9 against the Golden State Warriors on 2/7/1999, just ten points shy.
Andrei Kirilenko
He may not be a hall of famer like the other names on this list, but he still managed to finish with a 14-8-9-6-7 box score on 1/3/2006.
Draymond Green
He may not have come as close as the others, but we have to give credit to the fact that a 4-12-10-10-5 box score is super impressive. Getting a triple double with >10 points is pretty hard.
Non-NBA Quintuple Doubles: High School and College
It’s never been done in the NBA, but it has happened twice officially in girls’ high school games. The first was by WNBA legend Tamika Catchings with a 25-18-11-10-10 box score, and later by Aimee Oertner with an impressive 26-20-10-10-11 score.
Did Wilt Chamberlain Actually Record a Quintuple Double?
Legend has it that on 18/03/1968 Wilt Chamberlain allegedly posted a phenomenal box score of 53-32-14-24-11. No official records exist of the game, so we can never be entirely sure. But if there was someone that could do something this inhuman, it’s definitely the 100-point game man.
We know how much the athletes make. But now, people want to know how much money do NBA referees make?
Referees are an important part of every professional sports event. It would be impossible to perform the game in regular circumstances without them. Referees monitor professional sports events in order to ensure the rules are followed. Obviously, they perform serious tasks and all have to be in perfect order especially when it comes to top-level games such as NBA. So, they have to be paid well because only satisfied workers are ready to give the maximum efforts despite the type of the profession. Read below to see NBA referee salaries and income:
NBA Ref Income and Salaries
NBA games are broadcasted worldwide and millions or even billions of people watch them. The worth of an average NBA team is estimated at $1.25 billion, so the big money is in the game and each professional sports event generates a lot of cash through ads and commercials, sponsorships, tickets, and many other ways. Except for the clubs and their owners, NBA players take the biggest part of the profit.
Head couches take the second place and their salaries are the closest to the salaries of the NBA players. But referees also work full time on the position, and their average salaries move from $25,000 to $75,000. In comparison with the salaries of the players and head couches, this is not big at all. Also, referees of some other sports have higher wages than this one, and they sometimes perform less demanding work the lower amount of time involved in training, preparation, and on the field itself.
NBA Referees Average Salary
League and experience
Per game earnings
Yearly earnings
Professional-level referee
$3,500
$300,000
Entry-level referee
$600
$90,000
WNBA referee
$425
$80,000
NBA Referee Job Requirements
For instance, an NBA referee has to work full-time for eight months during a season. The NBA team performs 82 games for the same period. All NBA referees have to be fully prepared for this demanding work that requires a total commitment. They have to be in a good fit and ready to perform all of the necessary tasks. It requires an excellent physical condition because observing the games at this level is a challenging and difficult job.
The referees have to know all of the rules and to implement them when the situation requires. The decisions must be accurate and precise. No one loves bad referees and such kind of the judge would not last long in the league. The NBA games are always played fast and the referee must keep the attention at the highest possible level. Fouls are often difficult to notice, so they have to follow the happenings on the field all the time.
NBA Referees Average Salary
The average annual salary of a referee goes form $150,000 to $550,000 depending on their working experience. The starting figure is an entry level while seniors reach much higher numbers. NBA referees usually begin a career with high school or college games and later advance to NBA. However, the starting salary might be even lower, according to the reports of The Sports Economist. It claims the lowest base salary was $91,000 in 2009. Also, Officiating.com announced the referee's salary was estimated at $95,000 to $300,000 per season in 2008. In comparison with an average national salary of $45,000, those figures are not bad at all.
Even a beginner referee has a much higher salary than an average worker from another profession. But this job position offers some other benefits too. The referees are constantly on TV, meet NBA players regularly, and have three or four months pause. However, their average salary was not even close to this figure sometime in the past. The NBA referees earned yearly from $18,000 to $78,300 a thirty years ago, but the currency was stronger then, and the equivalency will be a higher figure than the base amount.
NBA Referee Senior Salary
Furthermore, when you divide the annual salaries of the NBA referees per week, you will get an exact amount of money. The highest annual salary stands at $550,000. It is a quite significant income that exceeds the national average salary for more than ten times. But when you divide it 82 times, you get $6,707.32 as a per game salary of the senior referees. It means they receive almost seven thousand dollars on a weekly basis. That is definitely more than enough even for a luxury lifestyle.
NBA Beginner Ref Salary
The beginner referees earn significantly lower amounts. Their per game salary stands at 1,829.27. The seniors earn much more, but the beginners also make nice amounts in comparison with beginner salaries of other professions. So the payout for the regular NBA season ranges between those two figures, however, the referees can make even more if they are assigned to the playoffs.
Playoffs Earnings
Per-game salary stands at $9,000 in the first rounds and at $29,000 in the finals 2008, according to the reports from the Officiating forum. Brett Poirier of Sheridan Hoops reported quite different figures several years ago. The referees made $4,500 for the first round, $10,540 for the second round, $24,790 for the semi-finals, and $24,790 for the finals, according to that statistic. Tim Donaghy, a former NBA official, said the referees can earn additionally $75,000 to $100,000 in the playoffs if they listen to the NBA's recommendations. But they most likely get bonuses for the efficient and good work which increase their salaries further.
College Basketball Ref Salaries
College Basketball Referees, for example, earn more than $2,000 per game, and their season has more than 70 games. It means the annual salary stands at $150,000 approximately.
WNBA Ref Salaries
WNBA referees are paid significantly lower than those two categories above. The women's league is not profitable and popular as the men's NBA league, and that fact affects the earings. The WNBA referees make roughly $16,000 on yearly basis. It means they earn approximately $425 per game.
Conclusion
All in all, this is a profitable job that keeps its employees good physical condition. Of course, each NBA referee must keep a watchful, careful eye on the game at all times, as it can be a stressful job having to call plays and fouls on national television with 20,000 fans screaming at you. And of course, who can forget the Tim Donaghy scandal, which exposed the potential temptation that referees are vulnerable to. Though it seems highly unlikely that any NBA referee will want to supplement their salary with fixing bets, since the NBA has a strong anti-corruption unit.
The NBA is unlike any other sport with its own set of rules that are unique. For instance, in football when a player commits a foul the whole team is usually penalized with a loss of yardage. Almost the same thing can happen in the NBA. Sometimes when a player fouls another he will be issued a foul and the team that was fouled will either get the possession of the ball or get two foul shots. So, in NBA the player and the team get punished when they breach the rules that concern illegal personal contact with the opponent.
Unlike football a basketball player only gets a limited amount of fouls before they are thrown out of the game. Football players can commit as many fouls as they want, but still get to continue in the game. NBA players only get six fouls before they are totally penalized to the fullest.
What Happens When You Foul Out In An NBA Game?
When a player commits six fouls it means that he has to leave the game and cannot come back in. He can play the next game, but he will remain on the bench for the remainder of the current game.
When Did the NBA Go To 6 Fouls?
There was a time when players were only allowed five fouls before they got permanently banned from the game. However, it was later changed to six. This took place back in the 1947 to 1948 season. Another interesting change that took place during this season the fact that the roster size increased. At the start of the seasons, the team's rosters went from ten to twelve. Teams could now how a maximum of twelve players on any team.
How Many Fouls Are There Is NBA Overtime?
When it comes to overtime the rules change a little bit. It should be noted that players that fouled out during the regular gameplay are still not allowed back in during overtime. However, over the course of the 5-minute overtime, the teams will now be allowed three fouls before the other team gets to shoot free throws. In regular play, it would be five fouls before the opposing team shoots free throws. Keep in mind that fouls will carry over if there are additional overtimes and the player will still foul out at six fouls. In the last two minutes of overtime, the team that is fouled will get one free throw shot and possession of the ball. This was a rule that was developed and instituted in the 2016-2017 season.
How Many Fouls to Foul Out In NBA Playoffs?
The playoffs certainly change things for the players and the atmosphere, but it doesn't change the foul rules. Players are still only allowed a maximum of six fouls before they foul out.
WNBA Foul Rules
The WNBA and NBA are similar when it comes to rules and regulations. And, the fouls limits are the same as well. WNBA players are allowed six fouls before they are banned from the game. However, only the eight foul per half leads to two free throw shots.
The accessories league, AKA the NBA, has a dress code regulated by the National Basketball Association, and it is mandatory for all the participants within the league. Each sport has similar rules, and this one is not an exemption. The shape of the clothes is the same for all NBA clubs, but some details are always different such as color, for example. The players can also use some helpful additions, and you will find out the real reasons why they use some pieces of clothes.
Why Do NBA Players Wear Tights or Leg Sleeves (What Do NBA Players Wear Under Their Shorts)
You have most likely noticed many times that some professional NBA players wear tights or leg sleeves under the shorts. They have several reasons to do that. Quality tights have the power to support bones and muscles, allowing a player to achieve a maximum while playing basketball. This game is very demanding and serious injuries are quite frequent. The pain can last for a long time and even forever in some cases. However, quality tights or leg sleeves can stop it while the NBA player wears it.
The main reason why NBA basketball players wear tights is because the tights will warm all injured places and the entire legs will become heated. New injuries are less common if your legs are in such condition. A heated muscle is definitely more resistant, and it is a great thing if a basketball player has already had some issues with injuries before. The older players have higher chances to become inured, and they should wear this piece of clothes more often.
Tights are perfect for those who frequently run. They protect ligaments and joints, so they have higher capabilities to work under strong pressure and force. Cold muscles are more vulnerable to different injuries, and NBA players are obligated to warm them up before a game. With leg sleeves or thighs, you can shorten the time of preparing for the game because your legs will be heated by then anyway.
They usually wear them under the shorts because the official NBA regulations demand that from the players. The dress code is regulated by the officials in the association, and it cannot be changed without their official permission. Tights and leg sleeves have supportive effects, and that is why their use is allowed.
Why Do NBA Players Wear Sleeves on Their Arms (Right vs Left, and on Non-Shooting Arms)
Arm sleeves have mostly the same purpose as tights and leg sleeves. They serve to warm muscles and bones preventing sudden injuries that way. Some basketball players are wearing them on both hands, Some just on left, while other on a right hand. It depends on the needs of every particular player. If they have some recent arm injury, then there is a high probability they will wear a sleeve over it when they come to the game field.
That is why some of the players wear it on the opposite hand of the shooting one. The recent or continuous injury is the main problem. The pain will most likely disappear if the muscles are warm and hot. That is very suitable while playing because a player feels better during a basketball game and can achieve more. Some players have had serious arm injuries including open fractures that caused big wounds and were not easy to heal. Such injuries can leave long-term consequences that have to be treated in a proper way. And arm sleeves are there to help them to play better and more interesting basketball.
Some players wear this piece of clothes just on shooting arm to improve its abilities. Warm muscles work better than cold ones. Besides, a non-shooting arm is also important because basketball players use it during a game. They have to fight for the ball, to come under the basket, and perform other different tasks. Both hands are necessary, and they have to function flawlessly well without any pain and other issues. That is why some basketball players wear sleeves on non-shooting arms. To warm them up and tighten the muscles.
Why Do NBA Players Wear Long Sleeves on the Bench During Games?
NBA players wear long sleeves while they are on the bench with an intention to keep their muscles warm all the time. If one of the reserve players should replace some from the first time, they would come into the game instantly. They would not have enough time to prepare for the game, and their muscles would get cold after half an hour of sitting on the bench. If they come in without preparation and with cold muscles, the efficiency might lack, and the chances for injuries grow.
That is the reason why they wear long sleeves because they want to keep the muscles and bones warm and ready for the game. Also, some of them have maybe had injuries and want to avoid pain during a game thanks to the long sleeves. The warm muscles are more resistant and more flexible which allow better performances. If they come into a game with those sleeves, their bones will be tightened and that is another benefit which supports against injuries.
Why Do NBA Players Put Towels on Their Heads
NBA players wear towels on the heads because they want to warm up the entire body. Human's organism consists of different parts, but they are all mutually connected of course. The muscles have a chance to warm up faster if the head is warm. That is the main reason why they put towels while sitting on a bench and watching a game. However, NBA players are just human beings as all other people, and they can use towels for different purposes.
For example, they can put a towel on the head when they come out from the playing field if it is wet due to a highly active game. They can easily clean sweat from the face and head with it, and they can leave it to stay further on their heads. The changes are often in the basketball, so they can use towels for multiple purposes at the same time. They will keep their heads clean and warm which is a great thing during a game.
Why Do NBA Players Wear Hoodies
NBA players are not allowed to wear hoodies during a game. The basket is above heads, and the games are performed in big sports arenas. It means hoodies will only make a confusion and a problem for those who would wear them while playing. There is no Sunlight to interfere with eyes, and a hoodie will block a view toward the basket. However, it only counts during a game, and players can wear any type of clothes and hats in a free time.
Some NBA clubs have specifically designed and created a number of promotional hoodies with their emblems. They give those hats to players and fans who occasionally wear them in different circumstances. If you notice NBA players with those hoodies, now you know how they get them and where they wear them. If a player is injured and cannot participate in the game, they can support their team from the grandstand. NBA players who decide to give such support often wear those hoodies with club's emblems and colors.
Why Do NBA Players Wear Masks?
NBA players wear masks to protect faces from injuries. Basketball is an active game, especially under the basket. The players move fast and fight for the ball. It often leads to sudden injuries that have to be prevented somehow. The nose is one of the most sensitive parts of a human's face, and it is usually at the greatest risk during a game. However, if some accidentally punch another player in a face while this one is wearing the mask, they will not finish injured because the mask will do its job. Otherwise, the nose might end-up broken and that can have various consequences.
The injured player will stay out of the game until the injury is rehabilitated. If such an outcome occurs, both the club and the player would lose. That is why some NBA players wear those protective masks during basketball games. Also, some of them have already been injured, and they use a mask to heal faster. The injured place is more sensitive than a healthy part of a body, so there is a higher chance of a new injury.
LeBron was the most recent big time NBA player often wearing those masks. They preferred masks of a black color that covered his forehead and nose. The mouth and lower part of a face stayed unprotected in his case. Those masks can be made in different shapes and designs but most usual ones are just like LeBron's mask.
But generally speaking, an NBA player wears a mask for protection for any face fracture or severe nose or cheekbone bruises. The only cost is losing a few percentage points of peripheral vision, but for the most part, any NBA player wearing a mask will likely play unencumbered, and in some cases, even better than without the mask!
Do NBA Players Wear Cups?
NBA players usually do not wear protective cups, however, there are some exceptions from this rule, of course. It is a personal decision and if a player has been injured, they can wear a cup to protect old wounds. No one can stop them to do this, but some basketball players who have already tried this type of protection complaining it is an unsuitable measure.
In fact, it creates strong pressure in the technical area making an unpleasant feeling. A player who wears it might fail to play successfully because of that, so many avoid using a cup. Besides, there are low chances for injuries in this area, so many believe it is an unnecessary protective measure that makes more damage while offering no benefits. However, it is hard to guess if some player wears this cup or not, and fans can usually find out those details when NBA players speak about them.
Do NBA Players Wear Mouthguards?
Some NBA players wear a mouthguard because of two main reasons. Of course, both are connected to the prevention of potential injuries, but some players have been already injured and want to protect the wound, while others want to avoid being injured for the first time. Mouth and teeth are quite sensitive and during an active game, a basketball player can be suddenly punched in a face area and that might lead to various injuries.
To avoid their teeth being affected by the sudden accident, some players often wear mouthguards during a game. This way of protection is an obligatory measure in some fighting sports, such as MMA or boxing. However, NBA players are free to make a decision themselves. They can wear mouthguards or not depending on their wishes and needs. No one will force them, and no one will stop them from doing that. It is up to them. A mouthguard definitely has a useful purpose and NBA players should consider using it.
Why Do Basketball Players Wear Rubber Bands on Their Knees?
Basketball players wear rubber bands to reduce knee stress. This material has the power to make positive health influence on human's joints, and that is the reason why some players wear it. If they have been injured, they will heal faster with its help, and it is proved in many analyses. Also, rubber bands can support knees during a fall.
They will reduce the pressure and pain if a player falls on their knees, so it is another purpose of rubber bands. Besides, they can warm up knees and surrounding areas supporting their proper work. You know that heated muscles and bones can achieve the maximal results.
Why Do NBA Players Wear Tape on Their Fingers or Ankles
The athletic tapes serve with the same mission. They can support the healing of old injuries, prevent new ones, help with overstretching ligaments and so on. Basketball demands a lot of practice with a ball, and all of them are performed with hands and fingers. When someone spends hours in those activities, injuries become quite possible. And athletic tapes are there to help players avoid such an outcome.
Conclusion
Those are all ways NBA players use to protect different parts of their bodies and improve their abilities to reach the maximum. Sometimes, a spectator can be confused by some piece of clothes that NBA players wear on themselves, but you know much more about that now, thanks to information from this article.
Boogie is an appropriate nick name for DeMarcus. He's probably the most talented 5 in the game today. He's a great post talent with guard like passing ability and flashes of being a good shooter. He can also bang down low and collect boards with the best of them. Yet, despite all those talents and the need to have such a talent on the roster, he still scares the shit out of you. Not in a Mark Jackson 'there goes that bad man', but as a fan of his and of the Kings. You see the raw talent, but you also see major character issues that are getting worse with time, not better. You see Antoine Walker, Rasheed Wallace and later Shawn Kemp morphed into one mind.
This is not the leader of a franchise.
The bigger question is why are the Kings hanging onto him? Before we answer that let's dive into why they shouldn't.
While the Kings are sniffing a bottom playoff seed for the first time in a decade, they don't have a foundation that will be better than a 1st Rd and out playoff team. Even if all goes right for the next 5 years – Cousins' continues to progress as he has, Gay stays and doesn't regress, Collison stays solid, Temple/Barnes/Casspi provide necessary veteran contribution – at best that's a perennial 42 win team. At best!
The Kings best case is 1st round purgatory which actually sounds enticing to a franchise with the second longest playoff drought (Minnesota is longer at 12 years). It leaves the franchise little to no hope of even having title contention aspirations for the next half decade or so.
The other main point franchises rarely look at when moving their stars in hopes of a rebuild or revamp is what the market is like at the time. Now more than ever the market favors a team looking to rebuild.
As we discussed in an earlier article, the value of first round picks has tanked in recent seasons. Additonally, you have teams on the rise like Boston, Denver and potentially even Philadelphia looking to move youth/assets for quick fixes. For example, the Kings could likely swap Cousins to the Celtics for BOTH Brooklyn picks in 2017 and 2018, likely get some other solid pieces and start a rebuild quickly. The Nets are expected to be real bad those next 2 seasons and odds are those picks will both be in the top 3.
This isn't like in the past where teams like Boston or Portland who wanted to unload their respective head cases in Antoine Walker and Rasheed Wallace were only able to net late picks and contract fillers. Despite all the ridiculousness surrounding Cousins over the past few years, the Kings could actually net out way ahead by moving him now.
The Kings are extremely hesitant though. Despite that moving him can give back faith to California's capital, despite the potential at building a new and better foundation, despite having an actual culture. Despite all of that, the Kings will likely keep Cousins long term.
The Kings correctly realize that by dealing DeMarcus they'd have to go back into a rebuild. They didn't do too well in the prior one. Sacramento was bad when the drafts were stale and missed out on some talents. Willy Cauley Stein, Nik Stauskas, Thomas Robinson and Ben McLemore have caused Kings' brass to be more reluctant about the prospect of lottery picks. This happens at times with teams who have a string of bad draft selections – they lose faith in their future picks. For example, after a string of Mediocre to poor 1st rd selections of Adam Morrison, Ray Felton, Sean May and DJ Augustine in the lotto the then Charlotte Bobcats dealt their lotto pick for Jason Richardson. The Warriors used the pick on Brandan Wright, so no real harm done there.
Still, the lesson there isn't that building through the draft doesn't work. It's more that you can only expect so much from building through mid to late lotto picks. Besides Morrison, all of those Bobcats picks were outside the top 3. All of those Kings selections were outside the top 3. In fact Sacramento hasn't netted a top 3 pick since 1991 when they selected Billy Owens who a season later turned into the legendary Mitch Richmond (via trade).
The other concept is how hard it is to obtain a franchise guy. Many NBA teams seem to be on this ever lasting quest for a franchise star to help lead them. There are 3 ways of acquiring one: draft, trade and free agency. The Kings don't really have ammo to lure a franchise guy via free agency. They don't have the assets yet to do so via trade. The only route is draft. Now the bigger problem here is that the Kings see Cousins as their franchise guy. While that's a great title for Boogie, a franchise player is someone you can literally build a contending team around. As we noted earlier if the best we can aspire to is a 42 win team with Cousins then you probably need to rethink that franchise title for him.
Other teams don't have to necessarily go the rebuild or bust route. For example, the Pacers and Warriors have done an excellent job at drafting quality talent late. The Kings were both unlucky and bluntly bad drafters. The truth is even if you stink at the draft, if you draft high enough and take the consensus Best Player Available you will field a strong core.
Let's take a look at the Lakers, for example. I don't think fans would say the Lakers are a phenomenal drafting team over the past decade, but they selected Randle years ago when he was the obvious choice and recently were fortunate enough to land consecutive top 3 picks and grabbed D'Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram. Sure, they aren't setting the world on fire yet, but their fans are truly excited about their young core and they are starting a sensible foundation.
The Kings have a tremendous opportunity now. Two paths lay in front of them – either move forward with the soon to be albatross contract handed to Cousins, or call your pal Danny Ainge. That decision will dictate the future of basketball for the franchise and determine whether DeMarcus is the new Kings of the C's or continues to be the Kings of Queens.
Well, they say the sky is the limit with him. Seriously though, there is no real limit with this guy. There is a reason why he is called a unicorn. At 7’3, he can block shots, defend the paint, run, score in the post, knock down jumpers, AND he has 3 point range. It’s really incredible in terms of his full body of work. His only weakness may be that he can still be pushed around a bit. Also, the presence of Carmelo Anthony may actually slightly slow down Kris’ offensive growth.
Full Highlights of Kristaps Porzingis: Blocks, Dunks, and 3 Pointers:
When people ask how good can this kid be, no one is quite sure what to say. Most NBA pundits are afraid to say he will be a hall of famer, as they don’t know if he can stay healthy (there aren’t too many 7 foot 3 guys who are bastions of health), and wonder if he can become a more fluid player within an offense. HOWEVER, if you were to stop his career right now, you would see a guy averaging 20 and 8 with a continuous highlight reel of blocks, dunks, 3 pointers, and impressive post moves.
I do get the feeling that most NBA players are not afraid of him (there is a stereotype against thin Europeans), but that will change. This is because Porzy will undoubtedly posterize a number of these players, and eventually will become a full on All Star. Check out some of his awesome highlights below:
How old is Kristaps Porzingis?
When he was drafted, he was just 19 years old! And what’s crazy is that even at that age he was already putting in decent numbers, with 14 and 7 in his rookie year. His sophomore year is better, and he is putting in 16 and 7.5. He was born on August 2, 1995, making him 21 years old. In comparison, fellow rookie Karl-Anthony Towns was born November 15, 1995.
How tall is Kristaps Porzingis?
He is listed as 7’3, though some in the NBA have said he looks even taller, though this is likely due to his thin frame. To be fair, he has gained significant muscle in the last 6 months, and may even be a factor for his recent Achilles injury. He is 221 centimeters.
Where is Kristaps Porzingis from?
He was born in Liepāja, Latvia. He played in the younger age bracket with BK Liepājas Lauvas team, which was the most popular team in Liepāja. He played with them until he was 15 years old. He then moved to Sevilla, Spain, which is where he rose to prominence. He eventually moved to New York after the Knicks drafted him in the 2014 NBA Draft. His Latvian origin provoked the nickname “The Lativian Gangbanger”, popularized by crazy actor Michael Rapaport on more than one Bill Simmons’ podcast.
Projected Career Statistics for Kristaps Porzingis:
We have yet to see the best stats yet from Porzy, but here are his rookie season numbers, followed by his career projections:
The reason his projected stats: His minutes will obviously go up, but he’s already suffering from a few minor injuries, leading management to call on coaches to limit him to around 30-33 minutes per game. His field goal percentage will obviously rise, as he simply acclimates to NBA offenses, and gets more touches in the paint. Rebounds will go up as well, especially once Jo Noah retires (because he has become a fossil), and Porzy plays 85% of his minutes at Center. Assists will go up as well, as most big men get smarter and understand the flow of an offense as they get older (think Rik Smits). Blocks will go up due to his increased minutes at Center. Points will obviously go up as well as he becomes a number #1 option, especially after Carmelo “flawed superstar” Anthony moves along or willingly takes a backseat (but won’t be able to because his ego is bigger than his shoe size). At his peak I will guess that Porzy will pour in 25 ppg in another season or 2.
Porzingis Contract Situation
Check out this breakdown from Sportrac.com on the contract that Porzy signed with the Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis signed a 2 year / $12,953,040 contract with the Knicks, with$12,953,040 guaranteed, and an annual avg salary of $6,476,520. In 2016-17, Porzingis will earn a base salary of $4,317,720.
Let’s just say that this contract (as are most rookie deals with great players) is a STEAL! If he was on the open market he would command about $35 million a season. The crazy thing is he was drafted after Jhalil Okafor! Jesus Christ what a screwup by the Sixers. Anyways, Porzy is literally untradeable, unless Durant is mentioned.
How was Adidas able to sign Porzingis to a shoe deal?
This was certainly one of the strangest shoe deals in history. Not for the money involved but rather for Nike walking away. Basically, Kris was signed with Nike, and then Adidas came down with their own shoe offer, reportedly for somewhere between 3 and 6 million dollars. Nike had the opportunity to match it, but declined to do so according to ESPN. Why? Well, we can only speculate. But the reason is probably because Nike brass didn’t think that Porznigis fits the mold of the high flying, sweet shooting, dunking NBA player who sells shoes and jerseys. Also, big men don’t sell as many shoes as guards and swingmen. The problem is, Porzingis sold the 4th most jerseys in his rookie year.
I think the reason for passing on him goes beyond the mold of player he is – it is also because he is a foreigner. Foreign players are less likely to sell shoes like homegrown stars such as Kyrie Irving (technically from Australia), and Derrick Rose (his career has fallen apart). I suppose the lesson here is that Nike lavished hundreds of millions of particular players but seemed hesitant to go the distance with Porznigis, and it was probably a mistake.
Who is Kristaps Porzingis Dating?
This is a question which we won’t get the answer to for a while, primarily because he ain’t dating anyone! GQ basically asked him this very question, and he responded with this quote:
“No! I mean you always gotta find a little bit of time for the girls, right? But there’s nothing serious really. Nothing too serious…I haven’t been that social yet, and I have been mostly focusing on basketball, but when I have a little more time I might to have to meet some new people.”
Although funnily enough, Kristaps did make it clear that he gets girls, and implied that he’s had his share of one night stands: “Yeah, when I feel like it, I have a place in the city that I can escape to.
The best we can do is follow Kristaps on Instagram so that if he posts pics of a woman, we’ll know right away! What a sad life we live.
The rest of this article is to be continued…
We originally aired a podcast episode all about Porzingis on November 27th, 2015:
[powerpress]
Kristaps Porzingis is all the rage in New York, putting up 13 points and 9 rebounds per game. In this episode, I talk about the media reaction when the Knicks drafted him, whether he would go higher if the draft was redone today, why he could be better than Dirk Nowitzki, how he differs from Linsanity, and how the he fits on the Knicks roster. Make sure to check out our coverage of the NBA Finals – it's going to be big!
In the coming months leading up to the trade deadline you will see many articles such as 'top 4 best Blake Griffin Trade destinations' or perhaps 'top 5 trades that will definitely happen'.
I want to be clear. This is not one of those generic articles.
Yes – many proposals will come though the rumor mill and many will likely include the Clippers and Blake Griffin. There's really only a few legitimate 2 to 3 team deal that works for Blake and the Clippers and the most realistic one is more or less the following:
Now different variations of the deal could also make sense. Maybe Boston gives up slightly more assets such as a Memphis pick or Terry Rozier? Maybe Denver pushes hard to move Faried instead of Gallinari? But this is the general flow of the deal: Denver collects a Brooklyn pick, Clippers exchange Blake for more depth, Boston grabs Blake.
Will such a deal work for all parties? There are probably more squeamish reactions than not when looking at such a trade framework.
Will Gallinari be healthy enough to be effective long term in LA? Would Denver jeopardize a somewhat successful first half of the season (they are at the cusp of the west playoff race)? Could Blake and Horford even Co exist in Boston?
Every trade has questions like this, but the potential reward should out weigh some of the risks.
The Clippers need to be honest with themselves and understand that even at their best the current framework of the team won't come out of the 2nd round of the playoffs. The team is absurdly thin, particularly at the 3 where cast offs like Mbah a Moute and Wesley Johnson are netting significant minutes and 39 year old, playing like he's 49, Paul Pierce is starting most nights. On what other team would these three even be in a rotation?
Insert Gallinari who could actually fit well as a small ball 4 next to Jordan. Crowder would also be the perfect small forward compliment, essentially serving as a better version of previously departed Matt Barnes who is tremendously missed. Will Barton would also be a key piece who could emerge as a backup combo forward and help Jamal Crawford with more efficient offense off the bench.
Is it enough to beat the Warriors in a 7 game series? Probably not, but it could give them a fighting chance if everyone is healthy. At the very least it gives Chris Paul an opportunity to completely control the unit where the team has been most effective.
The Nuggets need to be realistic as well. While the team may be somewhat excited now about smelling the post season, they need to continue concentrating on the long term. The team is saddled with redundant veterans and a Mish mash of solid, but not superb talent, which needs minutes. Their wings: Chandler, Gallinari, Harris, Murray and Barton all need rotational minutes and it has been tough for Coach Malone to find rotation consistency.
With such a trade Denver opens their rotation more and allows for their young wings, Harris and Murray, to have an increased role. Wilson Chandler has played well as the small ball 4 and could remain in a similar capacity. Faried is another vet the team would rather move and the latter two could be interchanged somewhat and placed in this trade potentially. Of course the main crux of the trade is acquiring the Brooklyn 1st Rd pick.
Let's chat about the value of first round picks for a second. Remember before the recent CBA when the value of even middle to late first round picks were high? You could snag a top 10 starting center for a non lotto pick. The Wizards sent a lottery protected 1st Rd pick for Marcin Gortat. The Blazers acquired Mason Plumlee who was coming off a double-double season for the 23rd pick in the NBA draft.
Recently of course the value has flipped the other way. Danny Ainge experienced it first hand in the last few drafts. Two years ago the Celtics were offering Charlotte a slew of future 1st round picks, including a future Brooklyn pick, in the hopes of moving up from 16 to 9 just to select Justise Winslow. The Hornets rejected it. This past draft no one even sniffed at Boston's offering of the 3rd pick.
The truth is the value of a future 1st Rd pick is probably somewhere in between these 2 extremes. Right now the scale is on one end and any team who is able to make a deal with Boston and snag one of their Brooklyn picks will probably get the better end of a deal. In short, it would be extremely wise for Denver to unload 2 vets who will not be part of their future for the chance at building an extremely enticing long term foundation.
So now it comes back to Boston, why do the Celtics make this move? Speaking as a Celtics fan I can't say I'm thrilled about the scenario. Danny Ainge simply is holding onto far too many assets that he'd prefer unloading them in hopes of landing a vet who could move Boston to the upper echelon of the East and challenge Cleveland.
While the Griffin and Horford tandem could be awkward it also has the potential to really beat up teams down low. Looking at the state of the East there'd be no other 4/5 tandem who could endure such a combo battling underneath. Blake has also been quietly phenomenal for the Clippers in prior post seasons. He also gives the Celtics another needed go to option down the stretch of games which can open the floor more for Thomas. At his best, Blake Griffin could go in revenge mode and catapult Boston to the conference finals where they'd have a competitive series against the Cavs. Let's also not forget the additon of Paul Pierce which could add some playoff leadership although is more likely to be nothing more than cute.
Why is this good for the league?
Everyone is afraid to say it, but the NBA has a parity problem. You look across other sports and you could theoritically see several different teams winning a championship. The Cubs and Indians were somewhat surprising in baseball, in the NFL while the Patriots may be favorites, the Cowboys, Packers, and Chiefs are extremely scary. In the NBA, could you even theorize a finals which isn't another rematch of the Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers?
The NBA has recently been more about wake me up when May ends, of course until the finals happen which should be captivating. Both the Cavs and Warriors need at least one potential threat in hopes of engaging a larger audience prior to June.
Boston and the Clippers seem to be as good candidates as any at this point. LA has managed a top 4 seed over the past several seasons and on the brink of conference finals contention. A simple swap of talent for depth could be a change that takes the current team to new heights.
Boston is more likely to make the conference finals due to the lack of strength of the east. The hope is Griffin unleashes a revenge type mentality like none another to catapult Boston to contention.
There are other trade scenarios to look at as well, but funny thing is the ones that need to demolish parity to help save the league all involve Blake Griffin.
For example, other scenarios could include the Kings and DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins is the kind of high risk – high reward big Doc could be interested in and the Kings could either acquire Blake and pieces in return (would be closer to Cousins and Afflalo for Blake and Reddick) or look to Boston for a 3 team deal and net assets. Again in the latter scenario the Celtics and Clippers could catapult themselves to contention.
In the end Doc holds the card that can save the NBA. If the Clippers simply hang onto Blake, finish the season in typical 2nd round and out fashion we should be headed for a typical ho hum finish down the stretch.
The NBA has a parity problem, fortunately there is a Doc in the house.
Carmelo AnthonyIf you recently opened a sports section in a New York newspaper, you may think the Knicks are in contention. Sports pundits and fans in the area are extremely excited about the team's recent success, and rightfully so.
Knicks…Playoff Team?
The team's 11-9 record was its best through 20 games in four years, and the Knicks now sit at 14-13. Kristaps Porzingis is showing great progress and some say he may already be the best overall talent on the team. Kyle O'Quinn and Brandon Jennings have provided needed sparks off the bench. Finally, Derrick Rose has shown some signs of being at least a diet version of his former MVP self.
So what's the worry? Well, the fact is that this current unit, at least for the next several seasons, has a ceiling. That ceiling is more or less due to Carmelo Anthony. Now, let's be frank, Melo is a phenomenal offensive talent, but he is showing clear signs of aging and unfortunately slows down the development of Porzingis. There's also zero chance he waives his no-trade clause, so he is in New York to stay.
With Melo, plus a resurgent Rose and a developing Porzingis, the Knicks’ ceiling is a low playoff seed. Knicks fans may still take that outcome given the team's disappointing seasons in recent years, but we can do better New York!
First, we need to decipher what puts Melo in the best situation on this Knicks roster:
1. Melo needs to play more power forward. The small forward slot would be beneficial if Anthony were used more in the post. Defenses have gotten better in this regard, and considering he isn't as pass-friendly as he probably should be, it's relatively easier to defend him in the post even with a smaller defender. Having said that, Melo's most comfortable and effective move in recent seasons is the 15-18 foot jab fake/jump shot dance. By playing the 4, Melo should face slower defenders who he can take more advantage of in these iso sets. Defensively, there are issues here, so his time at the 4 may need to be staggered more with Noah at the 5 rather than with Porzingis at center.
2. Aggressive point guard play. Over the past few seasons, the Knicks have seen passive PGs like Jose Calderon and Raymond Felton defer to Melo at times. This creates less overall ball movement and more standing on offense. Now, when Rose is aggressive, it benefits the Knicks because it catches the defense off guard and opens the perimeter up for bigs and wings like Porzingis, Courtney Lee, etc. The issue the Knicks currently have, or at least can improve upon, is Rose's inconsistency. Additionally, Rose can sometimes get uber-aggressive, and his decision-making can be improved. Rose is a massive upgrade at the 1 for the Knicks. They just need a better and more consistent version of him.
So what can the New York Knicks do?
The Knicks need to look at a trade and find a way to get a better version of Rose as well as a strong defensive 3 who can space the floor, allowing Melo to play more 4.
A three-way deal with Minnesota and Phoenix could make sense. The Wolves have had one of the more disappointing starts in the league, and Coach Tom Thibodeau would benefit from having a familiar face back. The Suns still have a massive point guard quandary and are better off dealing talent for draft picks/future assets, continuing their rebuild. Here’s the proposed trade:
Knicks trade: Derrick Rose, 2017 1st round pick
Knicks receive: Eric Bledsoe, P.J. Tucker
Wolves trade: Nikola Pekovic, Ricky Rubio, top 3-protected 2017 pick
Wolves receive: Derrick Rose
Suns trade: Eric Bledsoe, P.J. Tucker
Suns receive: Nikola Pekovic, Ricky Rubio, 2017 Knicks pick, 2017 top 3-protected Minnesota pick
As noted earlier, Thibodeau would feel comfortable with Rose in place and probably needs to make this type of high risk/high reward move to get his season back on track. The Suns net two potential lottery picks to help their rebuild.
Why do the Knicks do it? Bledsoe would be an ideal fit next to Melo in this lineup. Bledsoe also has experience playing both guard slots (so he'll work with Jennings in those units) and has previously played well in Coach Jeff Hornacek's system.
Tucker is a staunch defender and gives the team that necessary extra defensive wing, which allows them to be more comfortable playing small ball.
Ultimately, the Knicks do need to make a trade to move to that upper echelon of their conference. These next two to three years will be awkward for New York, given that fans likely feel the torch should be passed to Porzingis, yet Melo will still lead the team in usage and possessions. The team needs consistent point guard play to hold down the fort and allow Anthony to play more off the ball, and to preserve him for iso sets only when necessary.
Phil Jackson needs to make such a trade to maximize his last licks from these Knicks.
Why do the Minnesota Timberwolves suck this year? Every pundit and their mother predicted a 50 win team and the playoffs for this young team. But we knew better, as we pointed out on our season predictions a few weeks ago.
Eveyrone said that Tom Thibodeau was worth 10 wins, Andrew Wiggins would make the leap, Kris Dunn will be great, and Zach LeVine is for real. Also, Karl Anthony Towns was ready to take over. Not so fast, Minnesota. In this show, I explain why bad karma from Glen Taylor firing Sam Mitchell and driving out Kevin Garnett is affecting this team, as well as a few basic on court problems that they are struggling with for the time being.
Another reason why the Minnesota Timberwolves suck so badly in 2017 is due to sheer competition in the Western Conference! Think about it for a second. Look at who else is in the West:
There are no real surprises in the top 12 (all the teams ahead of the Wolves), so we can't be that surprised at their performance this year!
The Warriors, Spurs, Rockets, and Clippers aren't going anywhere. The Jazz, Thunder, and Grizzlies are all playing expectedly well. The Blazers regressed but are still okay, and the Pelicans and Kings, though mediocre, still have better players in Anthony Davis and DeMarcous Cousins, both of whom are better than Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony Towns!
At this point, they might as well tank to get another pick. Oh, and bring back Kevin Garnett!!! (As an assistant coach obviously).
Predicted Eastern Conference All-Stars Kyrie Irving (center) and Andre Drummond (right)Labor Day is barely over, and as NBA nuts we are lacking the necessary daily fix of NBA fodder. But have no fear, predictions are here! Instead of starting with standings, however, we feel starting with All-Stars has more zing. Without further ado, the predicted 2017 Eastern Conference All-Stars:
STARTING LINEUP
Forward: Carmelo Anthony
With Kristaps Porzingis coming into his second season and what seems to be a rejuvenated Knicks team, Melo will likely keep his Eastern starting streak going. The Knicks, with health concerns galore, are likely to have a better-than-anticipated first half, but will probably catch the injury bug at or around the All-Star break to slide into a non-playoffs seed. Still, at the time of the break they'll be in playoff contention, which should guarantee Melo another starting appearance.
Forward: LeBron James
Just trying to get the obvious selections out of the way here. James should at least replicate some statistical line of 26, 7, and 7. His Cavs will probably have the conference's best record to boot, all of which equates to a starting slot. And they will no doubt be back in the NBA Finals this summer.
Center: Andre Drummond
Yes, not all 5 positions need to resemble your standard starting 5, which in seasons past has meant no center in the East's starting lineup. This year that won't be the case, as Drummond will easily be one of the top 5 players in the East—and fans will notice. Pistons Coach Stan Van Gundy is poised to continue to assemble a Dwight Howard-like attack around Drummond, and Detroit is expecting a decent uptick in the W column with another season of that young core gelling.
Guard: Kyrie Irving
After his heroic Finals performance and his willingness to play second fiddle well to LeBron, Kyrie has quietly climbed up in recognition among NBA lore. What that exactly means for the remainder of his career largely depends on the Cavs' success in the next 2-3 years, and his ability to be slightly less selfish and improve as a defender. This is likely another starting lock, make that 4 in total, for your East All-Stars.
Forward: Paul George
As I write this, I honestly don't feel confident in any single selection. This slot could be Derrick Rose if New York has a truly great start and Rose throws up at least 17 and 7—not out of the realm of possibility, but not likely. It could be Jeremy Lin, if the Nets are even within 5 games of the 8th seed and Linsanity has returned to New York. Maybe Dwyane Wade if he somehow makes it work in a slash-heavy perimeter scheme in Chicago. Kyle Lowry is probably a somewhat safe pick here if Toronto is still among the East's top teams. In actuality, however, it may really depend on the starting lineup rules. If the NBA loosens the positional requirements, Paul George should be in the starting lineup. Yes, he is a forward, but the NBA tends to try and ensure that the best 5 for a conference start, and they'll make sure George gets in.
RESERVES
Forward: Jimmy Butler
A pretty decent chance at being a reserve lock, Butler is a coach's dream. He will likely ensure Chicago is within playoff striking distance, and given the lack of potential among reserve wings in the East (since the top 3 are starting), Jimmy is a near guarantee to snag the coaches' vote.
Center: Hassan Whiteside
Brace yourselves. We are going to witness the true uniqueness of Miami's center next season. Despite his contract this offseason and some gaudy stat totals, Hassan Whiteside is still underrated. His wins produced per 48 minutes make mockery of the metric, and Miami's record with him versus without him during the last few seasons is like comparing the Golden State Warriors to the Denver Nuggets. Pundits say he is purposely trying to compile blocked shot numbers, which makes his totals less impressive. That concept always irked me. I understand, as a player, how you could theoritically pile up points (volume shots – Kobe), rebounds (steal rebounds from teammates, rebound off missed free throws – Marcus Camby), maybe assists (pass up open lay ups and kick out for shots – Rajon Rondo), but defensively how do you stockpile blocks? More specifically, how does stockpiling blocks hurt your team? If the theory is that Hassan lets defenders blow by so he could then block them, he's still defending the rim and altering shots—also known as his job. With Chris Bosh likely to be out at some point and Wade gone, Whiteside's importance will finally show.
Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
In his 3rd season, the Greek Freak will make the All-Star team. The beauty of the East standings will be in their competitiveness, likely between the 3/4 – 13 slots. This is an important note, because many teams will appear to be in the hunt around the All-Star break. This will make coaches feel more inclined to get someone like Giannis in. He really doesn't have a specific position, but has as good of a chance as anyone outside LeBron to lead his team in all 5 major statistical categories.
Guard: John Wall
To reiterate the above, if you are on a team not from Brooklyn or Philly, you will be in the playoff mix. This is huge for John Wall, who is the best pure point guard in the conference and should make the squad solely as a result of that fact, regardless of team record.
Forward: Serge Ibaka
Yes! Another surprise! After Orlando swapped Victor Oladipo and rookie Domantas Sabonis for Ibaka, pundits were calling for Orlando GM Rob Hennigan's head. Ibaka is a fantastic defensive player with a developed offensive game who was begging for more scoring opportunities in OKC. Instead of incorporating him more in the offense, they picked up Enes Kanter and had more pick and roll plays involving center Steven Adams. Serge Ibaka wants to prove himself as a force in this league, and the Eastern Conference has been put on notice. Expect an All-Star nod for Serge and potentially a playoff appearance for Orlando.
Center: Al Horford
With the Celtics bound for 50+ wins, we need to select someone in green. Al Horford is a fine-tasting cookies and cream Chewy granola bar. You know what you are going to get and it's solid, with a little sugar. Horford is in prime position in Boston, likely sandwiched in a unit with some decent spacing (Kelly Olynyk, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas) and no one really competing with him for boards. With the departure of Jared Sullinger, he is Boston's sole post presence. Expect healthy double-digit rebound averages and scoring flirting with 20 PPG.
Guard: DeMar Derozan
I'm not going to front, I don't love this prediction. Similar to Boston's scenario, coaches will feel compelled to select a Raptor given that they'll likely be a top 3 seed out East. DeMar likely gets a nod over Lowry or even Jonas Valanciunassimply due to the scarcity of talent at the wing slot. Coaches would probably be more compelled to select Wall in competition with Lowry and Horford/Ibaka/Paul Millsap/Whiteside for big men slots in competition with Jonas. I struggled here, as another wing seemed necessary to make this roster. The only other conceivable alternative options are Wade (potentially for nostalgic/respect reasons), Nicolas Batum, and probably rookie Ben Simmons. DeMar has a far greater chance than those 3 of making the squad due to team record alone. I do hope Simmons has an exceptional rookie campaign and Philly isn't awful enough to make coaches reconsider. I hope, but I doubt it.
Last slot: Chris Bosh (if healthy, otherwise Kemba Walker)
Okay, I could have played it safe here. Millsap, Wade, Isaiah Thomas, Lowry and maybe Reggie Jackson could have made a case here, but I'm predicting a sentimental vote. After blood clots and a series of Pharma ads with Arnold Palmer and Kevin Nealon, Chris Bosh seems ready to return to basketball. Given his health scare and Wade bolting, Chris should be able to put up good enough stats that the coaches will reward his return with an All-Star nod. Bosh will benefit from Whiteside's presence on the interior and with some lack of big man depth in Miami, he'll get the minutes and shots needed to return close to 20 and 10 form.
If Bosh does get hurt again, though, expect to see Kemba Walker suit up. You may think it has more to do with his escalation into pseudo-star status. I think it's more about Adam Silver feeling bad he took the All-Star weekend from Charlotte. As a means of gratitude, he will grant Kemba the injury-filler slot.
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