An Endangered Species

        Once a Star-Studded Position, Shooting Guards Are Now a Rare Commodity 

(Courtesy of ESPN.com)

    There was a point in time during the NBA's recent history when prominent shooting guards were scattered throughout most of the teams in the league. The early 2000s saw an influx of talented, albeit trigger-happy shooting guards who achieved great individual success, but for the most part, failed to contribute to winning teams. Since the turn of the decade, the emphasis on the high-volume, low-efficiency off-guard has dwindled in favor of more well-rounded players. Teams began to understand that superficial, empty points did not contribute effectively to wins. The tale of the shooting guard's demise is a telling sign of the current trends in the NBA.    

After Michael Jordan retired for the final time following his sixth championship in 1998, the league needed a new star shooting guard to step up and assume the mantle. Interestingly enough, one could argue that the post-Jordan era began while he was still playing. The 1996 draft class is widely regarded as one of the best in NBA history, and marked the arrival of the first wave of potential Jordan-esque shooting guards. The star studded draft resulted in Allen Iverson (1st overall pick) going to the Philadelphia 76ers, Ray Allen (5th overall) going to the Milwaukee Bucks via trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Kobe Bryant (13th overall) going to the Los Angeles Lakers via trade with the Charlotte Hornets. These three in particular possessed the right blend of scoring acumen and athleticism to potentially challenge for the next great player NBA. Later drafts would continue to bring an influx of talent at the off-guard position.

The 1997 draft class saw Tracy McGrady (9th overall) fall into the lap of the Toronto Raptors where he would show glimpses of brilliances, but it would not be until he was traded to the Orlando Magic before the 2000-2001 season where he would display his otherworldly scoring ability along with his all-around skills. McGrady's cousin Vince Carter (6th overall, via trade with the Golden State Warriors) would be drafted by the Toronto Raptors during the 1998 NBA draft where he brought his penchant for athletic scoring drives and breathtaking aerial assaults on the rim, which were reminiscent of Jordan himself. Carter and McGrady along with Iverson, Allen, and Bryant represented the pinnacle of the shooting guard position during the late 1990s and early 2000s in the NBA. Even second tier stars such as Manu Ginobili (1999 draft, 57th overall), Jamal Crawford (2000 draft, 8th overall), Michael Redd (2000 draft, 43rd overall), and Jason Richardson (2001 draft, 5th overall) contributed to an increasingly deep talent pool at the position. The league was primed for this group of talented, high-scoring shooting guards to usher in a new era of perimeter dominance in the NBA, that is, until the draft class of 2003 came along. 

Known as perhaps one of the most star studded draft classes in NBA history, the 2003 draft produced the likes of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Later drafts also brought other superstars into the league such as Dwight Howard (2004 draft, 1st overall), Deron Williams (2005 draft, 3rd overall), Chris Paul (2005 draft, 4th overall), Kevin Durant (2007 draft, 2nd overall), Derrick Rose (2008 draft, 1st overall), Russell Westbrook (2008 draft, 4th overall), Blake Griffin (2009 draft, 1st overall), James Harden (2009 draft, 3rd overall) and Paul George (2010 draft, 10th overall). High scoring shooting guards were still a prominent part of the league, but they would gradually be phased out with the arrival of the 2003 draft class. This new era of superstars can certainly score, but their true strength lies with their versatility.  

Players who can effortlessly play multiple positions are a hot commodity in the NBA. The centerpieces of most teams are versatile players capable of manning different positions on the court. Additionally, there has been a greater emphasis placed on a player's efficiency on offense and defense. Advanced statistics such as PER (Player Efficiency Rating), which takes into account a player's production by the minute are being utilized by teams to evaluate just how much of an impact on the court certain players have, outside of just how many points they score. The dynamic of the league has begun to shift and favor players who are more versatile and efficient, rather than those who merely score a ton but fail to contribute in other aspects and unfortunately, most shooting guards from the late 1990s and early 2000s were the latter. Inefficient, volume shooting guards are no longer viewed as franchise players, in fact, only three individuals can be considered as cornerstone players at that position. 

James Harden, Dwyane Wade, and Kobe Bryant can score with the best in the league, but it is their efficiency that sets them apart. Harden was a picky shooter when he came off the bench for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but when he was traded to the Houston Rockets and pushed into a more featured role, he maintained his efficiency with an increase in shot attempts. Harden tends to hunt for three pointers or use his clever dribble drive ability to get shots at the rim, widely considered by basketball pundits as the most efficient shots a player can take. For the Wade, his efficiency does not lie with three pointers, but relentless attacks in the painted area towards the basket. Long range shooting has never been his strength, so Wade usually scores with drives to the rim. Kobe Bryant has established his reputation as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, but he has never been a very efficient shooter, so he makes up for that with his versatility. Bryant can play and defend all three perimeter positions which has made him a valuable part of the Los Angeles Lakers since he was drafted in 1996. Bryant, Wade, and Harden make up the creme of crop when it comes to the contemporary shooting guard and the next wave of players will undoubtedly follow in their footsteps.

Danny Granger's Value to the Indiana Pacers

(Courtesy of Sportsgrid.com)

    The Indiana Pacers are in an enviable place at the moment. They took a significant leap forward in their ascension towards an NBA title this past season. The team finished with a 49-32 record, good enough for the third seed in the eastern conference. In the playoffs, the Pacers managed to advance to the eastern conference finals before losing to the eventual champion Miami Heat in seven games. The team may have suffered a painful loss, falling just short of the NBA finals, but their progress is encouraging. The series against the Heat saw the Pacers make improvements as a team. Their physical, bruising style of play managed to stymie the Heat for long stretches at a time. However, when Miami went on one of their seemingly unstoppable runs, Indiana lacked the scoring punch necessary to keep up. The offensive prowess they were missing could potentially lie with Danny Granger. The Pacers can keep Granger and see if he can regain his scoring ability, or trade him for another point producer, either way the team's ability to take the next step depends on Granger.  

The Missing Piece
During the regular season, the Pacers were one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Their combination of length and physicality carried them to the top of most of the defensive ranks in the league. According to ESPN, during the regular season the Pacers ranked first in opponents' FG% per game at 42%, second in opponents' points per game at 90.7, and was first in opponents' points per shot attempt at 1.10 points. The playoffs were a different story as the defense remained elite, but the offense was lackluster at best. Granger could potentially provide a spark to the Pacers' sluggish offense. He certainly is not the all-star player he once was a few years ago, but is still a versatile scorer capable of the occasional outburst. Granger is only two seasons removed from leading the Pacers in scoring, so he maybe 30 years old, but he still presents a viable perimeter threat the defense must respect. His familiarity with the Pacers' sets and his scoring ability could make Granger the team's best option to supplement their offense and catapult them into the NBA finals. 

The Trade Piece
The Pacers could decide that the uncertainty regarding Granger's health is too much of a risk for them to assume and be moved to trading him. His $14 Million expiring contract would be an absolute boon to a team looking to shed a large chunk of salary. If Granger proves that he can still play at a relatively high level after dealing with knee problems, his trade value can only rise. For the Pacers, the issue is what they can get in return in a potential trade for their one-time franchise player. Two teams in particular can provide the Pacers with the pieces they need in order to strike a deal for Granger.

The freshly renamed New Orleans Pelicans could prove to be a worthy and willing trade partner for the Pacers. A potential swap of Granger for embattled Pelicans guard Eric Gordon has been rumored around NBA circles for some time, but the timing makes this trade more plausible. Gordon would give the Pacers their best off-guard since Reggie Miller. He can score from anywhere on the floor, and on a team with limited perimeter options, Gordon would be a welcome addition. For the Pelicans, the trade would be as much about clearing out position logjams as well as acquiring Granger. The acquisitions of Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans this offseason have rendered Gordon redundant in the backcourt. Replacing him with Granger in the lineup would bring more balance since Evans is more of a two-guard  than a small forward, and Granger could play power forward in small ball lineups. Additionally, if he does not work out, the Pelicans would have a large expiring contract to use next offseason. 

The Gordon for Granger swap would be ideal for the Pacers, but if that seems unlikely, another team they could potentially negotiate with is the Boston Celtics. The C's are attempting to rebuild after the Big Three Era and Rajon Rondo is the last remnant of that team.  A package built around Granger for Rondo would be the starting point of a deal, and since their salaries do not exactly match, other players or draft picks would have have to be included in a trade. For the Pacers, they would get one of the top point guards in the league capable of organizing their offense and creating easy scores for Paul George, David West, and Roy Hibbert. George Hill did an admirable job last season, but the team needs more perimeter creators, and Rondo is a clear upgrade in that aspect. The deal for the Celtics is about cleaning house and clearing salary. This deal would send Rondo to a contending team capable of harnessing his surly attitude and net the Celtics a significant expiring contract which would further contribute to their rebuilding efforts. 

Granger's Fate
Chances are that Granger will remain with the Pacers for at least the first half of next season. He has had the whole offseason to recover from his knee issues, so he should be at or close to full strength by the time the season rolls around. It would behoove the Pacers to monitor him and see how he produces before they decide to ship him off to another team. As appealing as a potential trade might be, Granger is the best option to fill the scoring void the Pacers lack.  He is capable of lighting up the scoreboard and holding his own the defensive side of the court.  If Granger returns to the team healthy, and produces, then the missing piece in order to punch a ticket to the NBA finals may already be on the roster.

Rajon Rondo: Holdover from the Past or Bridge to the Future

(Courtesy of the Boston Herald)

     The trade of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets this offseason signaled the end of an era for the Boston Celtics. Pierce has been synonymous with the Celtics for the past 15 seasons and Garnett brought a championship back to Boston. Their departures have paved the way for a full-scale rebuild for the team.  The Nets sent four possible first round picks to the Celtics for the two future hall-of-famers, which should help supplement Boston's rebuild. In the meantime, the team is now younger, and more athletic but also inexperienced and offensively inept. These shortcomings will be overlooked since the goal will be to give young players such as Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, and Jared Sullinger as many minutes as possible to help their development. Naturally, the Celtics will more than likely lose plenty of games this season due to their youth movement, but that in turn will likely yield a probability of selecting one of the studs available in the 2014 draft.  All of the elements are in place for the Celtics to completely embrace a long overdue rebuild, but before this can occur, they must figure out what to do with the last remaining member of the 2008 championship team: Rajon Rondo.  As it stands now, the team can either keep him as crucial piece to their future, or trade him to bring in more assets.  

The Case for Keeping Rondo
To put it plainly, Rondo is the best player left on the Celtics' roster at the moment and that should be enough of a reason to keep him.  He is their best playmaker and has been one of the best assist men in the NBA for the past few seasons.  The team currently lacks any significant offensive firepower, but at least Rondo would keep the offense organized.  He and Bradley would also make a very good defensive backcourt capable of pestering opposing guards.  Additionally, Rondo is young enough to be considered an integral part of the Celtics' new core and cheap enough not to disrupt their cap situation too much. This new era of Celtics basketball will thrust Rondo into a leadership position where he could potentially emerge as an even better player than before, one capable of leading the team back to prominence. If the Celtics believe that Rondo is capable of that, then Danny Ainge and Co. might be better served sticking it out and seeing where he takes them.  

The Case for Trading Rondo  
Rajon Rondo is coming off ACL surgery, and while it is no longer a death sentence to an NBA player's career, it is significant enough to cause concern. Fortunately, his playing style does not require tremendous athleticism or leaping ability, and he should be recovered by the time this season starts. Injury concerns aside, the other 31 NBA teams should be well aware of what Rondo can do on the court when he is healthy. One of the premier floor generals in the league, Rondo is capable of spearheading a defense and effectively orchestrating an offense. He is also known as one of the most competitive players and might not adapt well to the Celtics rebuilding plan, which is sure to come with its fair share of losses. The defeats could potentially weigh on him and further agitate a notoriously petulant player. The Celtics would be wise to entertain offers for Rondo as he is still capable of contributing to a contender in need of an elite point guard.  

The Celtics have entered a transitional period for the franchise. The team is no longer contending for an NBA championship, and will not be anytime soon. The goal should be to acquire cheap, young assets and draft picks to rebuild the franchise from the ground up. Unfortunately, that means parting with any remnants of the era, and that includes Rajon Rondo.  The rebuild requires a clean slate with young players put in positions earn playing time and grow their games. Rondo would merely inhibit their progress with his stubborn nature, and in turn negatively affect an impressionable young locker room. Danny Ainge would be wise to deal Rondo while he still has value and begin the Celtics' rebuild on the right foot.         

The Detroit Pistons and "Fit"

(Courtesy of Bleacher Report)

       The importance of "fit" cannot be understated when it comes to assembling a basketball team. Since only five players can be on the court at one time, it is essential that their physical abilities and skill sets blend together to maximize possessions. Usually the best teams, have players that complement each other on both offense and defense. The 2004 Detroit Pistons were one of the best examples of fit.   Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, and Ben Wallace fit flawlessly together and their solidarity culminated in an NBA championship that season.

The Detroit Pistons continued their success after winning the championship, but that ended when the team decided to trade its best player in Chauncey Billups to the Denver Nuggets for Allen Iverson. Iverson was still a very good player, but he did not fit the team like Billups did. A lack of quality draft picks and poor free agent signings has eventually caught up with the Pistons and has condemned the team to mediocre seasons ever since the Billups trade. From drafting Darko Milicic in 2003 to signing Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva to expensive, long-term deals, the Pistons front office has done a less than stellar job restocking the roster. A lack of quality draft picks and poor free agent signings has eventually caught up to the team and they have the mediocre records to prove it.

Fortunately, the last few draft picks ( Greg Monroe 7th overall in 2010, Brandon Knight 8th overall in 2011, and Andre Drummond 9th overall in 2012) have shown promise. The sensible approach would be to continue to allow this core to grow together and draft other young talent that complement this group, so naturally the Pistons did the opposite and signed Josh Smith to a four year, $54 Million deal. This is not a knock on Smith who is a very good player and under the right circumstances, has the potential to push a team on the fringe into the realm of contender. The Pistons, however, are not the ideal team and his signing further reflects the tram's continued refusal to acknowledge the importance of how players fit on a team. 

The Josh Smith signing is reminiscent of the Gordon and Villanueva signings in that they ignored how the two players would fit within the team. They were both streaky jump shooters who were most effective when playing off teammates who could create, which the Pistons were devoid of at the time. Ironically, the current Pistons lineup is short on consistent shooters to help space the court for Monroe and Drummond to operate in the paint. Smith does not help alleviate this problem since his jump shooting is his least effective skill. He can share the court with Drummond and Monroe in spurts, but too much time together and defenses will simply sag off Smith daring him to take an inefficient jumper. Additionally, Smith's minutes will likely come at the expense of either Drummond or Monroe which could hinder their development. Joe Dumars and the Pistons probably believe this signing will bring the team back to the playoffs, when it will actually set them further back on their path back to respectability.  Chalk up this gem of free agency to the Pistons front office. Bravo, they have done it again.

Harrision Barnes: Solid Role-Player or Budding Superstar

(Courtesy of NBA.com)

     Harrison Barnes, or the "Black Falcon" as he has been dubbed, is on a career path that will eventually split in two directions. One path will lead him to becoming a rock-solid role player. Barnes has shown the skills to be consistent supporting player in the NBA, along with a maturity level beyond his years that allows him to accept his role with little to no grief. The other path leads him to potentially NBA stardom.  During the 2013 playoffs, Barnes displayed the qualities that could catapult him to all-star status. His career could possibly veer in either direction, but one thing is for certain. The Golden State Warriors will influence which path Barnes career ultimately takes.

Unspectacular, but Consistent

During his rookie season, Barnes showed that he had all the makings of a solid starter and role player for the Warriors. He displayed consistently good form on an improving jumpshot, above average athleticism for his position, decent rebounding instincts, and solid defensive techniques. Possibly the most important quality that Barnes possesses is his lack of an ego. He was a highly touted high school senior and college player out of the University of North Carolina, yet he fully embraced his diminished role on the Warriors with no complaints. In the starting lineup, his job was to spot up for jumpers, rebound, defend, and take the ball to the rim when he got the chance. On this Warriors team, he may never be the star with all of the productive players in the lineup, but his role as an athletic "3 and D" hybrid forward will continue to be invaluable.   

Bound for Stardom

During the regular season, Barnes was relegated to the fourth of fifth option on offense. According to ESPN, he ranked fifth on the team in attempts reflecting his place on the totem pole order. The playoffs brought out a different side of Barnes and he showcased the potential to become a legitimate star in the NBA. Lee's injury moved him up in the offensive pecking order and he responded with best stretch of performances of his young career.  Barnes became more aggressive with the ball in his hands. He appeared more confident with his offensive moves and he scored more as a result. Freed from the shackles of his role during the regular season, Barnes used his innate feel for the game as well as his athleticism to hit threes, drain post-up shots, and throw it down with reckless abandon on opponents. He managed to raise his production from the regular season (9.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, on %.439 shooting), to the postseason (16.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, on %.444 shooting). If Barnes can polish his ball handling and improve his ability to create for others, then he will be on his way to becoming a star in the NBA sooner rather than later.  

The path that Barnes takes will be heavily influenced by the Warriors. If the team decides to keep him in his current role, or move him to a sixth man role, Barnes will not be able to fully capitalize on his star potential. Incremental improvement would occur, but he would not be afforded the chance to fully blossom, especially now that Andre Iguodala is set to absorb some of Barnes minutes. On the other hand, if the Warriors decide to move Barnes to the starting lineup in place of Thompson, Iguodala, or Lee, he has the potential to become the star he showed in the playoffs. Either way, the Warriors have the ultimate say regarding Harrison Barnes' career trajectory.

Welcome Andre, Welcome

All-Star Swingman Brings Flexibility to Warriors

By: Ryan Ocenada

July 18, 2013

(Image courtesy of CSN Bay Area)

           

     The Golden State Warriors’ acquisition of Andre Iguodala this offseason will provide the team with two key elements in order to continue their success next season: playmaking and versatility.

The departure of Jarrett Jack to the Cleveland Cavaliers, has undoubtedly left a void in the playmaking department. Although he had a tendency to call his own number more times than Warrior fans were comfortable with, he was usually the only player other than Stephen Curry who could create his own shot on a consistent basis. The addition of Iguodala should help supplant some of the playmaking that Jack provided, with less jacking up shots and more producing shots for his teammates.  Iguodala’s ability to break down the defense off the dribble to either score or pass, should help to lighten the burden on Curry’s shoulders. This facet was essential for the Warriors’ front office to address because during the teams second round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, rangy defenders Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green managed to neutralize Curry. The Warriors offense tends to grind to a halt if Curry isn’t hitting jumpers or creating scoring opportunities for others. 

           

The series against the Spurs also revealed that Harrison Barnes could serve as a legitimate scoring threat in the mid-post and as a slasher to the rim, but he was not nearly consistent enough to overcome Curry being blanketed by the Spurs’ defenders. Iguodala was brought in to become that secondary playmaker and he should have no trouble sliding into that role. The Iguodala trade should at least guarantee the Warriors a trip back to the playoffs, with a 50-win season and homecourt advantage as a realistic ceiling. The acquisition should also add to the aspect that contributed heavily to the Warriors’ postseason success: versatility. The team’s hot shooting, especially from Curry, certainly helped catapult them to playoff victories, but the shooting was opened up thanks to the Warriors newfound positional versatility. 

David Lee’s unfortunate hip flexor injury against the Denver Nuggets in the first round, brought about positional flexibility by necessity, but it proved successful nonetheless. Mark Jackson’s decision to start Jarrett Jack in the backcourt and move Harrison Barnes to the power forward position, opened up the floor for the Warriors. Driving lanes emerged and open shots soon followed. Iguodala will now take Jack’s place in this small lineup, without the follies that accompany Jack’s game (i.e. defensive struggles and shoot-first tendencies). When Jackson shifts to this small lineup during games, of Curry, Thompson, Iguodala, Barnes, and Bogut, the team becomes more athletic, yet keeps the shooting that allows space for drives to the rim. This lineup can also hold its own defensively since every player except Curry is a capable enough defender to help mask any unfavorable matchups their star point guard may have.  

The Warriors have seemingly been stuck on a rebuilding treadmill for the past 20-plus years. Now, that patience, combined with solid drafting and trades have brought the team to the unknown realm of a genuine playoff contender. The acquisition of Iguodala is the proverbial cherry on top of this decades-long rebuilding project. A legitimate, two-way all-star in his prime who compliments the pieces on this roster, that is the one element almost all of the title contending teams have. With Iguodala in the fold, the Warriors can now be counted among that elite class of teams.