George Karl came into The Jungle & broke down why LeBron lacks confidence in the clutch: FT shooting & jump shots.

I've recently moved with my wife from the San Francisco Bay Area of California to the more consistent and prevalent warmth of Southwest Florida.

I remember when LeBron James was with The Cavs, I saw jersey his worn often in The Bay Area.

After he "went" to Miami......not so much.

Today I was at the local South Florida OTB to wager on The Belmont, and LeBron James jerseys were in abundance. I didn't like it.

Teletovic played at the Brooklyn Nets and Cavaliers
THE AGENT CONFIRMS BOSNIAN DNA "WILL BE IN THE NBA"

The draw for the 'Draft' to be held on June 28 will trigger the events
MONREAL DAVID - Thursday, June 14, 2012 - Updated at 05:14 pm

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VITORIA . Slowly. Slowly but surely, Mirza Teletovic is defoliating its future margarita. Secure a future that goes through a NBA team, as this newspaper has said his agent, Misko Raznatovic. "It's going to the NBA," stated brief. Patience negotiating environment assumed by the player himself seems inherited from Josean Querejeta and, after pointing to four franchises as possible destinations, the top scorer of the last Euroleague (New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers), it seems that only two remain in the bunch. Teletovic end up in Brooklyn or Ohio.

It's that showed a sharp Raznatovic clarifying that "we still do not know which team will go." In any case, this screen has selected two franchises in the midst of reconstruction, "New Jersey and Cleveland." Her memory was playing tricks on the agent power forward he was referring to the Brooklyn Nets, until this season inhabitants of the neighboring state of New Jersey, now integrated in the Big Apple .

Thus, significantly reduces the range of possibilities for the Bosnian side to his NBA debut. What will not change, whatever its fate, will be the campus that integrates idiosyncrasies. Both teams are betting big on its medium-term future in the strongest league in the world, so we are in the process of rebuilding what benefits a minute Teletovic would find nothing more land. Here the similarities end, actually, because Cleveland wants to be a youth-based computer while the Nets seek to arm themselves with book. This factor, the long interest shown and the fact that the club is chaired by the third richest man in Russia, Mikhail Prokhorov, New Yorkers placed in the pole position in this race to gain the services of Balkan sniper.

Not be ruled out that some Cavaliers after the departure of LeBron James in 2010 did not raise his head. However, a couple of good choices in the Draft of the past year by the number four that have been awarded for the draw which will take place on June 28, together with the acquisition of one or another quality free agent Teletovic, could provide a considerable boost to the franchise that sheltered the game designers like Larry Nance, Mark Price and Brad Daugherty in the past.

The Cavaliers have Kyrie Irving, rookie of the year this season with numbers of 18.5 points and 5.4 assists. The veteran Antawn Jameson leads a project that needs to trim and no doubt it would Teletovic. The characteristics of Barca still placed him in profile as is customary specialist in American League. Nobody would object to launch more than three two. Moreover, this could be an asset to the Balkans as long as you trust to maintain good averages.

But is the choice of the Nets seems more likely. The European connection is instituted from the top of the franchise can play for them nor Teletovic could use a four shooter. There is less to learn the fate of Captain baskonista, but more likely it is you have to wait until the Draft be enough to trigger events.

Mock Draft, Version 7.0

June 13, 2012

By Chad Ford | ESPN.com

NBA GMs and scouts spent the past week in Chicago at the NBA draft combine. With players taking part in several hours' worth of drills, physical and athletic measurements, interviews and medical tests, we've made significant changes to our Big Board and mock draft.

Teams still have individual workouts to oversee, but their draft lists are beginning to narrow. Here's our latest best stab, after talking to numerous NBA team sources, about how the draft might play out on June 28.

PICK

TEAM

PLAYER

VITALS

1

New Orleans

Anthony Davis

Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 222 pounds
Age: 19
School: Kentucky

Analysis: How hot of a commodity is Davis? As I wrote on Monday, sources said the Cavs offered the Hornets picks 4, 24, 32 and 33 for the No. 1 pick -- a deal the Hornets quickly and firmly declined. Davis is the one player in this draft that a team can immediately build around, so you can expect the Hornets to continue to receive and decline great offers.

PICK

TEAM

PLAYER

VITALS

2

Charlotte

Thomas Robinson

Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 244 pounds
Age: 21
School: Kansas

Analysis: The Bobcats are actively talking to teams about trading the No. 2 pick. Why? Not only is there no franchise player at No. 2, but I'm told there's a bit of a split right now in Charlotte between taking Robinson or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Sources say Michael Jordan isn't sold on building around the limited offensive arsenal of Kidd-Gilchrist, but the team also has questions about how high Robinson's ceiling is.

I think MKG is the second best prospect in the class, but it's very close between him, Robinson and Bradley Beal. If the Bobcats keep the pick and take Robinson, they'd be getting a super-athletic, physical 4 who should be an instant upgrade over Tyrus Thomas and D.J. White.

PICK

TEAM

PLAYER

VITALS

3

Washington

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 233 pounds
Age: 18
School: Kentucky

Analysis: The Wizards are happy at the No. 3 spot and I continue to hear it will come down to Kidd-Gilchrist or Beal. In this mock, both players are still on the board, so the choice is difficult.

Kidd-Gilchrist would give the Wizards some much-needed toughness and defense at the 3, albeit with a less advanced offensive game. Meanwhile, Beal would give them a dominant 2-guard, who can shoot the basketball, to pair with John Wall. I'm still not sure which way they'll go, but either player would be a very good addition to their roster.

PICK

TEAM

PLAYER

VITALS

4

Cleveland

Bradley Beal

Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 202 pounds
Age: 18
School: Florida

Analysis: The Cavs need a wing and like MKG, Beal and Harrison Barnes. Andre Drummond is also in the mix, but the Cavs don't yet have a comfort level with him. If this comes down to Beal or Barnes, I think Beal will have the slight edge here. But it's not a given. The Cavs have been interested in Barnes for the past year and could decide that his size is what they need.

PICK

TEAM

PLAYER

VITALS

24

Cavs (via Lakers)

Fab Melo

Position: C
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 255 pounds
Age: 22
School: Syracuse

Analysis: The Cavs could really use more help at the 5. Anderson Varejao is around for a few more years but after that the cupboard is bare. Melo might need a few years anyway before he's ready to be a serious contributor at the next level.

Thanks for posting the mock

The Cavs trade rumor was more interesting than the mock. Too bad they didn't lose their mind and accept our offer.

I as usual place my trust in the Cavs front office whatever they decide. But a part of me hopes they'll come away from their evaluation period liking this guy;

http://www.nba.com/kings/video/2012/06/ ... ov-2128716

Yeah he's young and raw, and maybe a bit of a crap shoot. But he has unique physical skills, and he could end up being one of the top players to come out of this draft if he's surrounded by the right people, teachers, and generally good role models. I think the Cavs have a lot of that in place to get the most out of a player like this.

And, this draft is pretty deep in quality wing players so we could still get one later in the draft.

I happen to hope that Drummond is up for consideration too. Not a big fan of Beal. Love MKG.

This front office group has been making some pretty solid decisions. I'll get behind whoever they decide on. But a chance to get a guy with the potential to be a real NBA center with elite size and athleticism doesn't come around every draft. Drummond's downside could still be pretty decent, and his upside could be something special.

I actually trust Grant to sniff this one out, if he avoids Drummond he'll probably have some good reasons.

Of course that's if he's even still there at #4.

I think somewhere a bit ago a tree fell in the woods.

I didn't hear it.


I do have an asterisk for a smaller sampling of trees than normal for a tree season with one falling.

If I would have heard it.

It could never fully and truly be a Championship tree, with the asterisk.

David Aldridge :


The Cavaliers, currently picking No. 4, are trying to do what they accomplished last season, when they got an extra first-round pick from the Clippers for Mo Williams that turned into the No. 1 overall pick, eventual Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving. With its own first-rounder (the No. 4 pick), Cleveland took forward Tristan Thompson.

And league sources said this weekend that the Cavs were actively trying to get another top-five pick to go with their own fourth overall selection, using the 24th pick overall and center Anderson Varejao as trade bait. So far, neither Charlotte, Washington nor Sacramento (fifth) have had any interest, according to sources.

Cleveland, at No. 4, would seem to have its pick of whatever wing player the Wizards don't take -- Beal, Barnes or Kidd-Gilchrist. Barnes and Kidd-Gilchrist would each be especially difficult to pass on. Barnes is Cavs guard Kyrie Irving's best friend, and has the same agent. Kidd-Gilchrist was Irving's high school teammate in New Jersey at St. Patrick's High School. With Antawn Jamison leaving, the need for a three is acute.

http://nbadraft.net/2011-rookie-perform ... pectations


2011 Rookie Performance / Expectations

By Michael_Visenberg
Tue, 06/26/2012 - 8:19am
In our love for the NBA Draft, we often develop inflated expectations for draft picks. We hope to find franchise players in the top 5, all stars in the lottery, solid starters in the first round and occasional gems and role players in the second round. But are these expectations realistic? A draft study done by 82games.com helps to give us a more realistic perspective for draft positions.

http://82games.com/nbadraftpicks.htm

Rating = points per game+rebounds per game+assists per game
Star: 20+ Rating
Solid Player: 15-19.9
Role Player: 10-14.9
Deep Bench: 5-9.9
Complete Bust: Below 5
DNP: Never Played in NBA

The list is not perfect in the way it breaks things down, at least in terms of "Stars" only having to have career averages in combined points per game/rebounds per game/assists per game over 20. You essentially only have to average 14 pts, 3 reb and 3 ast, which aren't generally considered star totals, but it gives a general barometer.

And keep in mind that these are career averages. You will find currently on basketball-references database that there are 231 players that qualify for All-Time ppg leaders that have averaged over 14 ppg. 45 are still playing in the league. 34 of these players were All-Stars at one time or another, with the others probably being considerations at least a few times.

The labeling and rating system isn't perfect, but it gives a broad way of viewing the output for each position. So, lets see how the rookies of 2011 stacked up to these expectations. Very few met them, as they are obviously developing and these "expectations" are career statistical averages. It still gives an interesting look into how they fared in general and how one can maybe expect them to perform.

I will list the Expected Averages and Ratings of the 82Games.com cumulative averages from the 1989-2008 Drafts (up until this study was done, obviously) and then list the 2011 rookie averages. It is way too early to know if they were good rating picks, though with some they seem to be well on their way. I am limiting the list to top 20 picks and players that averaged over 6 ppg, leaving out of course those who have yet to come to the NBA. Also going to include the 2009's draft's very own Ricky Rubio, who was a 2011 Rookie.

Statistics were taken from the 82games.com "NBA Draft Picks: Expected Performance" chart and from basketball-reference.com.

1. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Expected Averages: 16.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.8 apg
Average Rating: 27.0 (ppg+rpg+apg)
Highest Rating (1989-2008 Draft): LeBron James (2003), 41.7
Lowest Expected Rating (1989-2008 Draft): Kwame Brown (2001), 13.3
Kyrie Irving's Rookie Averages: 18.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.4 apg
Kyrie Irving's Rookie Rating: 27.6

Rookie Breakdown:

Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving obviously is off to a fantastic start. Averaging over the expected rating in his rookie season, as a number 1 pick, is incredibly impressive. One would expect Kyrie to improve, particularly in assists as he gains more fire power around him. Still, he had an excellent rookie season and appears to have a bright future. If these are any indications of what Kyrie might average over his career (one would expect more), he looks like a very nice #1 choice for Cleveland.

Pick History:
The #1 pick, as expected, has the highest expected rating and one of the lesser margins for error. 13 out of the 20 players chosen first from 1989-2008 made at least one All-Star team, many of them making multiple appearances. Nonetheless, only three players in this draft period have won NBA championships as a first overall pick, Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan and LeBron James.

Despite lottery conspiracy theories running rampant, only two players have won rings with the teams that originally took them first in the lottery era, San Antonio teammates David Robinson and Duncan. The first pick is definitely largely impactful, though not always a necessity for championship teams.

The perfect median for this pick seems to be 1991's Larry Johnson. LJ's Rating added up to 27.0 and he was a multiple All-Star, not to mention a dynamic player. If you get more than Grandmama, you should probably be quite happy with the selection. Expectations will always be enormous for the first player taken in any draft, just know that not every #1 pick is going to carry a franchise over the top.

2. Derrick Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves

Expected Averages: 12.9, 5.9, 2.8
Expected Rating: 21.6
Highest Rating (1989-2008): Kevin Durant (2007), 35.7
Lowest Rating (1989-2008): Danny Ferry (1989)/Darko Milicic (2003), 11.1
Derrick Williams' Averages: 8.8, 4.7, 0.6
Derrick Williams' Rating: 14.1

Rookie Breakdown:
Derrick Williams was in a position with sort of a log jam for Minnesota, with the issue never really addressed. If you go by the 82games.com scale, his rating this season would be considered as a "Role Player". Have to say that was an accurate description of his rookie season. One would of course expect improvement and more minutes as he progresses. He did not really blow people away with his rookie performance, but he definitely seems like he could live up to second pick expectations over time.

Pick History
The #2 pick has given us Bob Pettit, Jerry West, Rick Barry, Dave Bing, Earl Monroe, Bob McAdoo and Isiah Thomas. Gary Payton and Jason Kidd look sure to join these players in Springfield shortly. Kevin Durant of course crushed the expectations of a first pick and looks to be gunning for these players spots in the All-Time rankings eventually.

Unfortunately, this pick has also had quite a few misfires and flat out misses. Darko Milicic comes to mind as the most recent, Pistons fans might not want to look at who has the highest rating at the 3rd and 5th picks (not to mention Chris Bosh only slightly behind Chris Paul at 4th). As far as All-Stars are concerned, it drops to 7/20 (35%) being chosen to the game who were drafted in the second slot.

Expectations for the pick should still be high, just tends that the 2nd pick tends to be much less impactful than most 1st's. Amazing enough, 7/20 from 1989-2008 have won NBA championships, though not all played major roles during the ring run. If one were to think of a median for the expectations of this pick, think of Antonio McDyess or Mike Bibby who are right around the average expected rating.

Recent has not been exceedingly positive. The past three #2 picks averaged under 10 ppg in their first season, with Hasheem Thabeet posting a rating of 5.0, lower than Darko's through his first three seasons. This pick still gives teams a lot of optimism, especially with the incredible success of Kevin Durant. Just make sure to realize that he is more of the exception than the rule.

3. Enes Kanter, Utah Jazz

Expected Averages: 15.2, 5.1, 3.5
Expected Rating: 23.8
Highest Rating (1989-2008): Carmelo Anthony (2003), 34.1
Lowest Rating (1989-2008): Adam Morrison (2006), 11.0
Enes Kanter's Averages: 4.6, 4.2, 0.1
Enes Kanter's Rating: 8.9

Rookie Breakdown:
Another player with even more of a log jam at his position with a lack of minutes to go around. In the minutes Kanter did play, he seemed like a possible force as a rebounder. His offensive game needs time and he more than likely will have another year as an understudy before starting. Still, was around a 50% FG shooter and his best is in front of him. Definitely a solid first year of development, though.

Pick History:

The year before the lottery began, the Greatest Player of All-Time was chosen behind Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie in 1984. Michael Jordan is not the only great #3 pick; he is joined by Bob Cousy, Pete Maravich, Kevin McHale and Dominique Wilkins. Still, Michael is that player everyone hopes for at the 3rd spot. To say the likelihood of this happening is slim is a major understatement.

This pick still has seemed to have some pretty decent luck. 11 out of 20 players from 1989-2008 have made at least one All-Star team, with Sean Elliott, Chauncey Billups (2004 Finals MVP) and Pau Gasol all playing solid roles on title teams. This pick has had incredibly few bad misses, with Adam Morrison standing out as the one real glaring exception.

While the average expected rating for this pick is higher than the 2nd, it almost seems more like dumb luck rather than a sign of anything concrete. For teams with this pick, take pride in knowing the numbers tend to be on your side. As far as guards around that average mark, think Chauncey Billups and Jerry Stackhouse. For big guys, Al Horford and Christian Laettner average out right near the median. Again, all of these players were All-Star's and solid contributors, just not every third pick is going to be Carmelo, Pau, Penny Hardaway or Grant Hill.

4. Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers

Expected Averages: 13.7, 5.5, 3.1
Expected Rating: 22.2
Highest Rating (1989-2008): Chris Paul (2005), 33.1
Lowest Rating (1989-2008): Antonio Daniels (1997), 12.8
Tristan Thompson's Averages: 8.2, 6.5, 0.5
Tristan Thompson's Rating: 15.2

Rookie Breakdown:
Many people loved Thompson's upside and energy his rookie season. The only 2011 Top 5 pick to be over a "Solid" rating besides teammate Irving, he showed upside as a rebounder and defender. Many still question as to where his ceiling may be, with some considering it a possible mistake to have drafted him ahead of Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas. It is still safe to say that Thompson surpassed the first year expectations of most and will hopefully work his way to a possible double-double threat with extended minutes.

Pick History:
Not too many glamorous names at pick #4, besides of course Chris Paul. You can add Russell Westbrook to the list of great 4th picks as well, considering his role on a young Thunder Finals team, as well as Chris Bosh playing 3rd banana for the Heat. This pick also produced more All-Stars than the #2 pick from 1989-2008 with 9.

Still, expectations for this pick should be tempered. You have had some great scorers at this pick in Glen Rice, Jim Jackson, Jamal Mashburn, Stephon Marbury and Antawn Jamison, though none of these players averaged over 20 ppg for their career. In fact, Lou Hudson is the only player ever to average over 20 ppg during his career after falling to 4th.
This pick still packs a definite punch with Paul, Bosh, Westbrook and 2009 Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans. The contributions of Rice, Rasheed Wallace and Lamar Odom to championship teams also are a highlight. If you are looking for what the #4 may look like as far as statistical rating, Dikembe Mutombo, Jim Jackson and Rasheed Wallace are all right around the pick average.

I think Kidd-Gilchrist is definitely the second-best player in the draft. If the Cavaliers are convinced of this too, then you can justify trading the Lakers' pick to move from 4 to 2-- that's not too big a price to pay if MKG winds up as good as I think he's going to be.

What they have to decide is 1) whether they even need to do this, since Charlotte seems to prefer Thomas Robinson; and 2) whether the consolation prizes at 4 are good enough so that a team would be reluctant to trade the pick to move to 2.

I have been reading that they are thinking of moving up to select Beal because that is their favorite choice among the 2nd-5th pick possibilities and Washington otherwise is expected to nab him at 3. If that is true, I assume you would think it is a bad move up because Kidd-Gilchrist would likely be there for the Cavs at 4 and you think he is a better pick than Beal.

My sense from what I read is that Beal my be the better fit for the Cavs, because Beal reportedly is a great scoring prospect and Kidd-Gilchrist is reputed to be a project on offense (and great on defense and hustle - but thus much akin to Tristan Thomas, who the took at 4 last year).

Still, it concerns me that the Cavs may pay a big premium (specifically, the 24th pick of the draft in addition to their 4th pick) to move up 2 spots when there is lots of disagreement out there as to who is the 2nd best player in the draft. If they only give up one of their second round picks, that concern would be a lot less. But it is sounding like they may have to give up more to make the move and are considering doing it.

Thing is, the 24th pick isn't that big a deal to trade--again, assuming you're clear on who the second-best player is and don't want to leave anything to chance. I know the general feeling about J. J. Hickson is that he never lived up to his potential, but Hickson's career is par for the course for the bottom third of the first round.

Beal just seems too much like a project to me. If I'm going to draft a freshman that high, I'd like to see evidence of him taking over a game at some point. His combined shooting stats for Florida's games against Ohio State and Syracuse, plus the three games with Kentucky, were 22-65 (in his defense, he looked good in the tournament).

If the Cavaliers are in the mood to roll the dice that high, why not just pick Drummond? He's potentially a major bust, but if he develops, you've filled a hole at the toughest position to find a legit starter.