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NBA Draft 2013: Can Nerlens Noel man the middle?

2013-05-18T13:30:04Z

There wasn't an exact moment when the NBA started to hedge its way toward institutionalized "small ball." But if you were forced to pinpoint one, Game 1 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals might make the most sense. That's when the Miami Heat lost Chris Bosh to a lower abdominal injury against the Indiana Pacers, forcing the team to shift LeBron James from small forward to power forward and inadvertently stumbling upon its most potent lineup.

It's true that James is essentially a basketball category unto himself, but the effect of having a small, faster player with shooting ability at the four was unmistakable. This season, most teams took notice.

Kevin Durant couldn't bench press 185 lbs. a single time when he was going through the draft combine in 2007, but that didn't stop the Oklahoma City Thunder from sticking him at power forward in what might have been the team's most effective lineup. Carmelo Anthony is hardly a big-bodied banger down low, but the New York Knicks' offense proved to be substantially more deadly when he was shifted to power forward. There's no denying how dynamic smaller, faster lineups can be in today's game, a strategy that simultaneously allows a team to play its best athletes while also opening up the paint for those same players.

There is, however, one position that likely isn't getting smaller anytime soon. That would be center, where Earth's biggest and most athletic humans are still free to roam. This presents a problem for Nerlens Noel, the Kentucky big man largely presumed to be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2013 NBA Draft. There was questions about Noel's viability as an NBA center before the draft combine this week in Chicago, but those lingering doubts are now going to be amplified.

Nerlens Noel weighed in at only 206 lbs. Does an NBA center so slim stand a chance?

"I think I dropped a little weight from the injury," Noel said on Friday at the combine. "Not being able to work out as much as I was before the injury. I'm definitely looking to get back up. I've been able to do a little more now. I'm ready to start working out and get the muscle back in my leg."

The injury Noel refers to happened on February 12 against Florida. Gators guard Mike Rosario was off to a fast break when Noel caught up. As he leaped to block Rosario's layup, Noel's knee buckled and he fell to the ground in pain. Basketball fans were too accustomed to the scene to be fooled. Just like Derrick Rose and Iman Shumpert before him, Noel had a torn ACL. From this point on, his career would be defined by how he recovered from it.

Noel said he considered returning to school for his sophomore season to rehab his knee, but the allure of NBA millions eventually won out. Why do something for free when you can be paid handsomely for going through a similar routine? It's impossible to blame Noel for entering the NBA draft with a torn ACL, just as it's impossible to blame the general manager that selects him in the top five, and perhaps No. 1 overall. There is, after all, a lot to like about Nerlens Noel.

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Following in the shadow of Anthony Davis is no easy task. Davis set college basketball ablaze during his one year at Kentucky, winning freshman of the year, the Wooden Award for the best player in the sport, and helping lead what might have been a historically good Wildcats team to a 38-2 record on the way to a national title. Noel was supposed to be the next Anthony Davis, a stud big man recruited by John Calipari who would give Kentucky an immeasurable physical advantage over its competition.

Things don't always work out as planned, and Kentucky's season was a premium example. The Wildcats never found their footing in 2012-13, and Noel's ACL injury precipitated a fall that led Kentucky all the way to a first round loss in the N.I.T. to Robert Morris.

While Noel might not have been as dominant as Davis before tearing his ACL, he was still pretty damn good.

More: Full combine coverage Alligator Arm Index Meet the German Rondo

Noel's shot-blocking instincts are considered second-to-none, a point he hammered home by swatting 4.4 shots per game at Kentucky, just a shade under what Davis averaged. Noel shot 59 percent from the field (mostly on dunks and putbacks) to average 10.5 points per game to go along with 9.5 rebounds per game. Noel didn't take the college game by storm the same way Davis did, but it's fair to point out Kentucky's guards weren't nearly as good at getting the ball inside.

Now Noel is ready to take the next step. The question is, how does he measure up to the physical marvels playing center in the NBA?

* * *

"225 is where I was about," said Noel on Friday at the combine. "That's where I got to in the offseason while I was at Kentucky. I'm definitely looking to get back up there and I know it won't be hard. I put on weight pretty fast."

Noel better hope he can while still retaining the athleticism that makes him a special prospect. Because in the NBA, even 225-pound centers are scarce. At Noel's current weight, he'd be comparable to pro shooting guards.

Just what will Noel be up against when he finally plays in an NBA game? A quick look around the league reveals a lot.

Marc Gasol won Defensive Player of the Year for the Memphis Grizzlies. He's listed at 265 lbs. Pacers center Roy Hibbert is 280 lbs. Dwight Howard is 260 lbs. From Andrew Bogut to DeMarcus Cousins, you'll be hard-pressed to find a center who isn't 40 lbs. heavier than Noel's targeted weight. Even Tyson Chandler, always noted for his slender body, is 240 lbs.

"You get what you see. Everything is a work in progress." -Nerlens Noel

There are some smaller centers, like Chicago's Joakim Noah. But even at 235 lbs., Noah is distinct by his guard-like skills. Noel doesn't have the handle or passing ability that makes Noah such an offensive weapon for the Bulls. Or does he?

When asked if he feels like his offensive skill set is underrated -- from his ball-handling to his face-up shooting to his passing ability -- Noel doesn't feel the need to defend his reputation.

"Nah, you get what you see," he says. "Everything is a work in progress."

* * *

If there's a pro center who Noel really compares to right now, it might be Milwaukee's Larry Sanders. Sanders was the Bucks' breakout star this season, finishing second in the league in blocks and proving to be a disruptive rim protector. That's what Noel could someday do for an NBA franchise. The question is, is that enough to warrant the No. 1 overall pick?

The injury concerns are also legitimate. Noel's injury is the same one that caused Bulls star Derrick Rose to sit out the entirety of the 2012-2013 season, though it's worth noting Rose was cleared by doctors to return in late February but opted to sit out and make a full recovery. Will Noel also choose to take his time?

"Nah, I doubt it will take 12 months," he said. "I'm definitely looking to get on the court as soon as possible so I can contribute to whatever team I go to.

"I got one of the best physical therapists in the country and I'm sure he wouldn't have me doing anything that wouldn't bring me along and wouldn't get my leg back to normal. I trust everything he says and everything he tells me to do. I'm going to do it 100 percent."

Noel is only now starting to get back to the court, where he's slowly starting to take free throws. He believes he'll soon to cleared to start jogging as he continues his rehabilitation. He tells reporters he's ahead of schedule, but of course Rose once said the same thing.

Noel has done all he can to put himself in a promising position on draft day. Now it's up to the fate of a few ping pong balls and the backbone of his brave GM to decide his NBA fate.

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Charlotte Bobcats to change name to Hornets, according to report

2013-05-18T03:44:21Z

The Charlotte Bobcats have begun the process of changing the team name to the Hornets, according to CBS Sports. The Charlotte Hornets played in North Carolina as an expansion team from 1988 until 2002 when owner George Shinn moved the franchise to New Orleans. With the New Orleans franchise rebranding to the Pelicans next season, the door is open for Charlotte to reclaim the team name. That's exactly what is happening.

The Bobcats took their name from Robert Johnson, the man who brought them into existence in 2004 as the owner of the expansion franchise. Johnson sold his shares to minority owner Michael Jordan in February of 2010, making Jordan the first former player to own an NBA team.

The rebranding is a welcome change for the Bobcats, who finished with the worst record in the NBA in 2011-2012 and the second-worst record in 2012-2013. As the Hornets, Charlotte reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals four times between 1993-2002.

NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver said a potential name change would take at least 18 months to implement.

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Why Knicks-Pacers and Warriors-Spurs were so frightening to watch

2013-05-18T02:23:48Z

Coach Nick is back to go through Thursday night's slate in the NBA Playoffs. After two sloppy games, Coach Nick takes you through everything that gave him basketball-related nightmares.

Derrick Rose injury: Bradley Beal says he'd lose respect if teammate acted like Bulls star

2013-05-17T23:54:13Z

When the Miami Heat defeated the Chicago Bulls in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Wednesday, it was an end not only for Chicago's season but also for the drama surrounding sidelined point guard Derrick Rose. Rose missed the entire season recovering from an ACL injury he suffered on April 28 of last year in the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, despite being cleared to play by the team since the beginning of March.

Rose's decision to willingly sit out drew the ire of many fans in Chicago because it was a largely unprecedented move. Lots of athletes have sustained a torn ACL over the last decade, but few (if any) have chosen to take over 12 months to recover. That Rose chose to sit in spite of his doctor's recommendation that the next step in his recovery process was to play in games made the Bulls star the target of frustration for some in his home city. The Bulls' gritty performance in the postseason through numerous injuries didn't help Rose's cause.

Rose's decision was supported by the organization and his teammates, with Joakim Noah's defense of Rose in the playoffs serving as the most memorable sign of solidarity. While Rose faced some criticism in the media for choosing to take his time and make a full recovery, Friday marked a first in Rose's elongated recovery: he was (kind of) criticized by a fellow NBA player.

Washington Wizards rookie Bradley Beal appeared on 106.7 The Fan and was asked if he would lose some respect for a teammate that chose to sit out despite being cleared to play, like Rose. Beal's response:

"A little bit. Yeah, I would," he said. "The type of player he is, and the mentality and competitiveness that he has, I think he would have gave it a go. I don’t know what was holding him back. I think he’s scared it’s probably going to happen again and he won’t be the same. But you’re never the same after an injury. But you just have to fight through it and do something else to be able to impact the game. I’m not sure what it is he has to do. I really can’t speak for him."

Beal was also quick to note that he had never experienced an injury as significant as Rose's. Taken as a whole, Beal's comments might not be terribly controversial, but it still marks the first time an NBA player has done anything other than support Rose.

Beal reached out to Rose via Twitter to clarify that he intended no harm by responding to the question in the radio interview:

Hey @drose would hate for u to think I meant any disrespect. Only u know when u r ready to play! Can't wait to see u back out there next yr!
— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) May 18, 2013

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NBA Draft 2013: Dennis Schroeder out to prove he's his own man

2013-05-17T14:01:15Z

CHICAGO -- Dennis Schroeder wants you to know he isn't like these American kids. Just 19 years old, Schroeder spent the last two seasons as a lightning-quick point guard in the top German pro league. While the majority of the 2013 NBA Draft class have spent their entire lives playing against peer-aged competition (or, in the case of Shabazz Muhammad, younger competition), Schroeder is the exception. He has been fighting off bigger, older opponents since he first picked up a basketball. He believes he's better for it.

"I think the German league is a very good league because you play against men," Schroeder said on Thursday at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. "I think I can use that to my advantage because when I come over here, I'll play against men, too. I got the advantage that I know I can play in the German league."

It's a fact never far from Schroeder's mind. He can't participate at the combine because of a tooth infection and the medication that comes with it, but the German's presence isn't lost on the horde of NBA scouts and general managers in attendance at Attack Athletics on the west side of the city.

SLC Dunk has more NBA Combine coverage live from Chicago.

As the rest of the point guards go through shooting drills, the buzz behind the sidelined Schroeder remains as strong as anyone's. News spread Thursday that he already has a first-round promise from one team. It's a virtual certainty he'll be one of the first four point guards selected, alongside Michigan's Trey Burke, Syracuse's Michael Carter-Williams and Miami's Shane Larkin.

When asked how he stacks up to the other lead guards in the draft, Schroeder doesn't hesitate.

"In Germany, the 18, 19-year-old boys are not like here in America," he said. "It's completely different. I still think I got the advantage because I play in the German League ... against men."

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(credit: Joern Pollex)

* * *

The first thing you notice about Schroeder is the gold patch in his hair. It seems fitting for someone who spent time working in the salon owned by his mother after his father passed away from heart failure three years ago, a tragedy Schroeder says helped him take the game more seriously.

His hair isn't the only thing that makes Schroeder distinct. His first love was skateboarding, a fact that may be evident in a playing style that could be affectionately described as radical.

While the NBA is full of point guards who earn their paycheck getting buckets, Schroeder has different priorities.

"The first thing is defense," Schroeder said. "I try to lead the team and not to score. Try to find the open guy."

Schroeder can be a wizard with the ball, as evident by the ample amount of spin moves he executed during his breakout performance at the Nike Hoops Summit last month. But seeing his nearly 6'8 wingspan, wide shoulders and jarring quickness, there's one NBA comparison that immediately comes to mind for Schroeder. He's well-aware of it.

"Rondo. Everybody says I play like Rondo."

* * *

Playing time is hardly guaranteed for even the most promising young players in Europe, but Schroeder's talent quickly proved too dynamic to keep him tied to the bench. In his first season with the New Yorker Phantoms, Schroeder averaged just eight minutes per game, posting 2.3 points, 0.7 assists and 0.8 rebounds per contest. This past season is when he really started to spread his wings.

Schroeder's playing time jumped to 25 minutes per game this season, and results followed. Schroeder averaged 12.0 points, 3.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game, which included three 20-point efforts. He posted a 36-point game against Oldenburg playing for B-league team SU Medien in late November that included 5-of-11 shooting from three-point range.

Just don't confuse his willingness to compare himself to Rajon Rondo with an inability to shoot. He shot 40.2 percent on three-pointers this season and hit 84 percent of his free throws. Still, much like many of the prospects at the combine, Schroeder was quick to point out one of the biggest challenges he'll face at the next level is the NBA's extended three-point line.

Schroeder says he has been shooting 150-200 extra jumpers at the end of every practice and is focused on extending his range. He's starting from mid-range and working his way out.

It wasn't until an impressive effort in Portland at the Nike Hoops Summit that Schroeder's stock really started to explode. Playing on the same team as incoming freshman phenom Andrew Wiggins and against top American-born players like Andrew Harrison, Julius Randle and Jabari Parker, Schroeder more than held his own.

He excelled in practices during the week and delivered in the game, as well. Schroeder finished with 18 points (one more than Wiggins) on 5-of-10 shooting to go along with six assists. More importantly, the opposition's highly-touted backcourt of Harrison and Kasey Hill finished the night a combined 5-for-16 from the field.

"I think (Hoops Summit) helped me a lot," Schroeder said. "Before the Hoops Summit, nobody knew me. I played good in the game and now the scouts want to see me workout. It helped me."

Schroeder is a mystery no more, and the hype will only continue to grow as the draft nears. Marcus Smart's decision to remain at Oklahoma State for another season bumped each point guard up a peg, and Schroeder will be among those reaping the benefits.

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NBA Playoffs schedule 2013: Knicks hang on to force Game 6, Spurs eliminate Warriors

2013-05-16T23:34:36Z

The Golden State Warriors' thrilling playoff run is over. The Spurs pulled away late for a 94-82 win to knock out the Warriors in six games. Elsewhere, the Knicks won an ugly one to force Game 6 against the Pacers.

The tension is rising in the 2013 NBA Playoffs. Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks face a do-or-die Game 5 situation on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden against the Indiana Pacers. Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors can't afford to stumble in their Game 6 matchup versus the San Antonio Spurs. The Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies both advanced to the Conference Finals on Wednesday night, so the final four could potentially be set by the end of the evening. Here's a look at the TV schedule and tip times for Thursday.

Pacers vs. Knicks, Game 5 (8 p.m. ET, TNT) | Indiana leads series, 3-1

Knicks head coach Mike Woodson has started to tinker with the lineup, and after a poor showing in Game 4 there is a strange atmosphere surrounding the team in New York. Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith have struggled in the series, but it's not like the Pacers are unbeatable. Ian Levy of Pacers blog Indy Cornrows provided an excellent breakdown of Indiana's offensive deficiencies and weaknesses earlier in the week.

For more on this series, visit: Posting and Toasting Indy Cornrows

At Knicks blog Posting and Toasting, they aren't impressed with Woodson's decision making during this series:

Let's break down Mike Woodson's strategy in the series thus far. He went with the regular lineup for the first two games of the series. The Knicks scored 95 and 105 points, respectively, for an average of 100.0 points a game, which is exactly their regular season average. Their averaged 109.6 points per 100 possessions - a scant 1.5 points below their regular season average, and nearly 10 points more than Pacers opponents averaged during the regular season. After a thorough beat-down in Game 3, Woodson decided to throw the script out the window and improvised a new starting lineup, one that had yet to start a game this season.

The idea was terrible on a number of levels.

If the Knicks managed to pull out a win on Thursday, Game 6 would be on Saturday night in Indiana.

Spurs vs. Warriors, Game 6 (10:30 p.m., ESPN) | San Antonio leads series, 3-2

The Warriors and Spurs have alternated wins in this series, and if the pattern holds it means Golden State is due to emerge victorious in Game 6. Things won't be that simple, but Stephen Curry and the Warriors have to like the fact that they will be back at home with the ORACLE Arena crowd for the must-win contest.

For more on this series, visit: Golden State of Mind Pounding the Rock

The game preview at Warriors blog Golden State of Mind has taken the form of an emotional pep talk (a non-ironic ode to Mark Jackson, perhaps?), while the Spurs-centric preview at Pounding the Rock focuses on how the team can get back to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2007-08.

If the Warriors win Game 6, the winner-take-all Game 7 will be played on Sunday afternoon in San Antonio.

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Kevin Durant does sad Charlie Brown walk

2013-05-16T05:32:03Z

The Thunder are out of the NBA Playoffs and their star forward is a little bummed out about it.

NBA Playoffs schedule 2013: Heat, Grizzlies move to conference finals

2013-05-15T22:07:32Z

The Heat and Grizzlies survived tough Game 5 battles to advance to the conference finals.

Two teams without their starting point guards face elimination on Wednesday. Both the Chicago Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder appear to be physically beaten down by that fact. Now it's a matter of whether they'll mentally cave.

For the Bulls, it's been a long time coming as the drawn-out return of Derrick Rose has fizzled out, and they find themselves down 3-1 to the Miami Heat heading into Wednesday night's 7 p.m. ET tip in the United Center. Though the Heat have not seen the best from MVP LeBron James and have watched as guard Dwyane Wade struggled with problematic bone bruises in his knee, it hasn't had much trouble in wearing down the Bulls. Chicago fought hard by stealing Game 1 and playing tough in Game 3, but Games 2 and 4 displayed how superior Miami is in terms of firepower.

Game 4 saw Miami's defense lock down as well. Erik Spoelstra's squad matched the Bulls' physicality and grind-it-out style, while Chicago's tired legs got the best of them in an 88-65 loss where they shot a miserable 25.7 percent from the floor.

More: Hot Hot Hoops Blog a Bull

Meanwhile in a similar situation to Chicago's, Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant has done everything in his power to prevent losses in the second-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies. But Oklahoma City hasn't been able to find answers in replacing point guard Russell Westbrook, who is out for the season with a knee injury.

The Thunder find themselves down 3-1 to the Grizzlies and begin their bid to avoid elimination on the road in Memphis at 9:30 p.m. Durant and Co. have been learning to how deal without Westbrook on the fly, but so far they've only learned how important the enigmatic and electric leader was to them on the court.

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Memphis has ridden its "grit-and-grind" mantra by punishing the Thunder in the paint with Marc Gasol, who hasn't scored less than 20 points in a game this series. The Grizzlies have run off three straight victories after Oklahoma City took Game 1. They came back from 17 down to force overtime and take Game 4, 103-97, a crushing blow to a Thunder team that for the first two quarters finally appeared to have found their offensive mojo.