Sports Agent Blog » Houston Rockets

NBA Blog Previews: Southwest Division Recap

Darren Heitner — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:00:03 +0000

Here are the final NBA previews. I am very excited for the season to begin, and especially interested in seeing how my Miami Heat fare this year. But let’s talk Northwest Division for a minute. It seems like every year the San Antonio Spurs are in contention. I don’t think this year will be any different. All the main pieces are back, but I am focused on how Tiago Splitter adds to the team. I have been following him for a while; I think he has big upside.

Grizzlies: Straight Outta Vancouver | 3 Shades of Blue | SBN Recap

Hornets: At the Hive | Hornets247 | SBN Recap

Mavericks: MavsMoneyball | The Two Man Game

Rockets: The Dream Shake | SBN Recap

Spurs: Pounding the Rock | Project Spurs | SBN Recap

NBA Blog Previews: Southwest Division Recap from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

2010 NBA Mock Draft 2.0 (First Round)

Zak Elfenbein — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:00:28 +0000

Washington Wizards: John Wall/Kentucky- After being argueably the best in college basketball for an entire season, he will rightfully go first overall.
Philadelphia 76ers: Evan Turner/Ohio State- Even though Philly’s new A.I. keeps the sixers afloat, Turner is too good to pass up. Either Iguodala and Turner mesh, or they ship Iguodala away for a draft pick or two in hopes to return to the playoffs.
New Jersey Nets: Derrick Favors/Georgia Tech- On paper the Nets appear to be a decent team. Lopez is emerging; add Favors and you have a more than capable front court.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Wesley Johnson/Syracuse- A freak athlete who can score. The T’wolves cannot afford to let a talent like Johnson slip past them.
Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins/Kentucky- Cousins is not the usual fit for the Kings and its owners, the Maloof brothers, but he is the only real post threat in the draft. Add him to a nucleus of Tyreke Evans and Jason Thompson, and the Kings will get one step closer to becoming a small thorn in the Lakers side. Do you think Pau will call them the Queens too?
Golden State Warriors: Ed Davis/North Carolina- One more year would have made him NBA ready, but Davis, like others, figure there may not be a 2011 season. His footwork is questionable, but his ability to guard the rim is astonishing.
Detroit Pistons: Greg Monroe/Georgetown- Georgetown being upset in the first game of the big dance did not help Monroe’s stock, but Dumars is trying to rebuild a team. Monroe will be a good start.
LA Clippers: Ekpe Udoh/Baylor- A fantastic shot blocker. Will play alongside other rookie Blake Griffin. Udoh brings toughness and ability to run the floor. Offensive game needs work.
Utah Jazz: Gordon Hayward/Butler- Hayward makes shots – end of story. A better version of Kyle Korver, who is on the market. Will probably have to create a lot more for himself since Boozer won’t be there either.
Indiana Pacers: Avery Bradley/Texas- Bradley has sky-rocketed up the draft boards lately. He has the same build as Russell Westbrook, but is a better defender.
New Orleans Hornets: Cole Aldrich/Kansas- Has the footwork of a infant, but has enough experience and size to make for a lottery pick. Okafor will never become the center he was supposed to be. This is his wake up call.
Memphis Grizzlies: Daniel Orton/Kentucky- Orton lacks experience, but makes up for it in potential. While he develops a better post game, his defensive presence will make up for it.
Toronto Raptors: Luke Babbitt/Nevada- With Hedo making it very clear that he does not want to be in Toronto, Babbitt is the same player with a smaller pay check.
Houston Rockets: Xavier Henry/Kansas- The best player available. Aaron Brooks can’t get it done all by himself. Henry puts up points and has a bright future.
Milwaukee Bucks: James Anderson/Oklahoma St.- Attacks the basket really well, put up a lot of points in college, and could complement Jennings really well. NBA fans will continue to Fear The Deer!
Minnesota Timberwolves: Paul George/ Fresno State- Almost every scout has bought into George being the steal of the draft. They may be right. His height at 6’9’’ and scoring ability could be awesome.
Chicago Bulls: Patrick Patterson/Kentucky- A physical specimen coming out of college, he is sound fundamentally and can contribute at the power forward position right away.
Miami Heat: Eric Bledsoe/Kentucky- Playing in John Wall’s shadow at Kentucky, Bledsoe did not receive the publicity he deserved. He is an NBA ready point guard who will fill the Heat’s need of a ball handler and distributor.
Boston Celtics: Solomon Alabi/Florida State- Slap that Bust sticker on Alabi. Does anyone remember Patrick O’Bryant? The Bradley center was drafted higher than Alabi would be here, but for an insight into Alabi’s career just look up Mr. O’Bryant – career 2.1 ppg.
San Antonio Spurs: Larry Sanders/VCU- Sanders can block shots and has the frame to become a dominating post presence. Let the mastermind better known as Mr. Popovich get his hands on him and you have the frontcourt of the future with Sanders and Blair down low.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Donatas Motiejunas/Lithuania- If he falls this far. Motiejunas could withdraw from the draft all together. Has ability to score, but with a frail frame and lacking defense Montiejunas may still be a few years away.
Portland Trailblazers: Kevin Seraphin/France- Nicolas Batum becoming a larger role in the Blazers rotation, Portland will take the chance on Seraphin. The Blazers will likely allow him to play one more year overseas and then use him as a post defender, praying he won’t collapse like every other big in Portland.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Keith Gallon/Oklahoma- Tipping the scales at 300, Gallon can shoot the basketball better than any big guy in the draft. If he gets into shape, there is no telling what he can do.
Atlanta Hawks: Quincy Pondexter/Washington- This is a steal for Atlanta. Pondexter could either replace a possible departing Joe Johnson or give Marvin Williams his pink slip. Either way Pondexter will have a bright future in the NBA.
Memphis Grizzlies: Hassan Whiteside/Marshall- If Whiteside is still there, then this would be a steal. Has freakishly long arms and can play the post really well. Scouts report “questionable interviews”, but they said the same about Andrew Bynum.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Craig Brackins/Iowa State- Not a franchise big man, but neither is Nenad Kristic. A solid pick for the Thunder to keep building a franchise.
New Jersey Nets: Devin Ebanks/West Virginia- A perimeter defender with the height of a big man. His jumpshot is less than questionable, which is why he is still available this late.
Memphis Grizzlies: Terrico White/Mississippi- The possibility that Rudy Gay may be leaving forces the Grizzlies to take someone who can put up points. White can do just that.
Orlando Magic: Willie Warren/Oklahoma- Warren was projected as a lottery selection after last year, but an injury and issues with his coaches force him to fall hard. He will make up for it in time though. He has too much skill not to.
Washington Wizards: Jarvis Varnado/Mississippi State- Argueably the best shot blocker to ever play college basketball. Won’t become a premiere big man ever, but cleans the glass like no other.

2010 NBA Mock Draft 2.0 (First Round) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

2010 NBA Mock Draft

Zak Elfenbein — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:00:35 +0000

We all do it, right? It’s the end of your team’s season, they have either been eliminated from playoff contention or been eliminated in a less than thrilling fashion in the playoffs, by for example, waking three sleeping giants in Celtics jerseys. July 1st seems to be the date that begins the changing of the NBA – the date that free agency begins. Although you can only play the “What if” game of where LeBron is going, who Bosh will sign with, and whether DWade stay. Before you drive yourself insane, just ask Danny Ferry (Cavs GM).

However, before LeBron can start really looking for a mansion on South Beach (yeah I said it), the NBA draft is coming. Remember all of these guys were a part of the draft once, so you have to pay some attention to which players your team can select, and who may possibly be a contributor on the way to an NBA championship.

Lottery Draft order projected statistically.

New Jersey Nets: John Wall/Kentucky – After being arguably the best in college basketball for an entire season, he will rightfully go first overall.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Evan Turner/Ohio St. – The most NBA ready player in draft, could be the best out of the draft if health allows him to be.
Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins/Kentucky – Cousins is not the usual fit for the Kings and its owners (the Maloof brothers), but he is the only real post threat in the draft. Add him to a nucleus of Tyreke Evans and Jason Thompson and you have the first team in Sacramento to sniff the playoffs since Vlade Divac was flopping in the purple and black.
Golden State Warriors: Derrick Favors/Georgia Tech – Had Favors put up the numbers that were anticipated when he arrived at GT, the Nets would be selecting him first overall. Although Golden State will be a good fit, Favors will be able to run the high paced offense the Nelly loves to utilize.
Washington Wizards: Wesley Johnson/Syracuse – A freak athlete who can score. The Wizards cannot afford to let a talent like Johnson slip past them.
Philadelphia 76ers: Ed Davis/North Carolina – Davis seems to be one of the players who left early to keep from suffering completely if the NBA bargaining agreement keeps the 2011-2012 season on ice. Davis is going to be Samuel Dalembert’s replacement after his contract expires. Additionally, look for the 76ers to try and unload Elton Brand on draft day for either money, another first round pick, or a sign and trade.
Detroit Pistons: Cole Aldrich/Kansas – Aldrich is a spitting image of Paul Davis, the former Michigan State center who was a sound, tough rebounding big in college, but that’s pretty much where the story ended. Aldrich lacks the footwork of other big men in the draft and is going to struggle when he can’t go over the top of defenders.
Los Angeles Clippers: Al-Farouq Aminu/Wake Forest – An athlete who can and hopefully will develop a perimeter game to play alongside Blake Griffin. Aminu is going to be a tougher version of Al Thornton, who never turned out the way the Clippers expected before they sent him packing.
Utah Jazz: Greg Monroe/Georgetown – Georgetown being upset in the first game of the big dance did not help Monroe’s stock, but the Jazz will lose Boozer and will realize that Mehmet Okur is not a center. Monroe possesses phenomenal footwork and can stretch the floor, and if big men could ever win the rookie of the year award, he would be the leading candidate.
Indiana Pacers: Ekpe Udoh/Baylor – A fantastic shot blocker, he will play alongside an emerging Roy Hibbert, and with the NBA’s stars relocating, the Pacers could be in playoff contention come April.
New Orleans Hornets: Daniel Orton/Kentucky – Orton has the least playing experience of all prospects in the entire draft. He has NBA size, but with unproven skill. He will become the mid-season bandage when Okafor goes down with an injury, again. Orton will benefit playing with CP3, and scouts believe he has the talent to be the best big man out of Kentucky, eventually.
Memphis Grizzlies: Patrick Patterson/Kentucky: A physical specimen coming out of college, he is sound fundamentally and can contribute at the power forward position right away.
Toronto Raptors: Hassan Whiteside/Marshall – Whiteside will be drafted just in time to go to Bosh’s Bon Voyage party, maybe as Turkoglu’s plus one? Whiteside can block shots, score around the basket, and rebound. Look for Dwight Howard comparisons throughout his entire career.
Houston Rockets: Donatas Motiejunas/Lithuania – This guy gets the label of highest bust probability. He is another thin seven footer who will refuse to rebound and put up 5 too many threes a game.
Milwaukee Bucks: James Anderson/Oklahoma St. – Attacks the basket really well, put up a lot of points in college, and could complement Jennings really well. NBA fans will continue to Fear The Deer!
Minnesota Timberwolves: Gordon Hayward/Butler – The last chance of having the next “Great White Hope”. Hayward can shoot the ball from almost anywhere on the court – lucky for Duke.
Chicago Bulls: Xavier Henry/Kansas – Regardless of what moves are made in the off-season, Chicago is going to take the best talent available and someone who can run with Rose. Henry couldn’t be a better fit.
Miami Heat: Eric Bledsoe/Kentucky – Playing in John Wall’s shadow at Kentucky, Bledsoe did not receive the publicity he deserved. He is an NBA ready point guard who will fill the Heat’s need of a ball handler and distributor.
Boston Celtics: Damion James/Texas – Doc Rivers is going to steal James from the Spurs, who pick right behind them. A hard nosed defender who can make stops and be a spark off the bench. He’s the pick because of the possibility the Celtics could lose Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Tony Allen.
San Antonio Spurs: Larry Sanders/VCU – Sanders can block shots and has the frame to become a dominating post presence. Let the mastermind better known as Mr. Popovich get his hands on him and you have the frontcourt of the future with Sanders and Blair down low.
Oklahoma City: Solomon Alabi/Florida St. – The Thunder learned their lesson the hard way when a team lacks decent big men. Unfortunately, they are not getting that in Alabi, who comes with the buyer beware warning due to his raw talent and what looked like genuine clumsiness around the basket in college.
Portland Trailblazers: Kevin Seraphin/France – With Nicolas Batum becoming a larger role in the Blazers rotation, Portland will take the chance on Seraphin. The Blazers will likely allow him to play one more year overseas and then use him as a post defender, praying he won’t collapse like every other big in Portland.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Luke Babbitt/Nevada – This being the T’wolves third pick in the first round, this is potential trade bait to a team like Memphis who covets Babbitt’s scoring and rebounding ability.
Atlanta Hawks: Quincy Pondexter/Washington – This is a steal for Atlanta. Pondexter could either replace a possible departing Joe Johnson or give Marvin Williams his pink slip, and either way, Pondexter will have a bright future in the NBA.
Memphis Grizzlies: Avery Bradley/Texas – This is probably the biggest slide of the first round, due to Bradley’s lack of scoring ability right now. If he finds a way to score, then the Grizzlies will have made off like bandits with a guy who could easily be a lottery pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Paul George/Fresno State – Another great athlete who can score, giving the Thunder a fourth or fifth scoring option.
New Jersey Nets: Devin Ebanks/West Virginia- A perimeter defender with the height of a big man. His jump shot is less than questionable, which is why he is still available this late.
Memphis Grizzlies: Terrico White/Mississippi – The possibility that Rudy Gay may be leaving forces the Grizzlies to take someone who can put up points. White can do just that.
Orlando Magic: Willie Warren/Oklahoma – The second coming of Courtney Lee to the Magic. Warren’s questionable attitude at Oklahoma is the reason for such a fall, but the Magic are the big winners after such a painful loss in the Finals.
Washington Wizards: Darington Hobson/New Mexico – Will be looked at as a reach, but his ability to lead the Lobos to such a great season gives him a great upside with good scoring ability.

After the glory of the first round has gone, there are a few real players that could make a difference when drafted. The second round sleepers are: Dominique Jones/USF, Jordan Crawford/Xavier, Stanley Robinson/UConn, and Lance Stephenson/Cincinnati.

2010 NBA Mock Draft from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Ariza, Ariza, ¡Ándale!

Darren Heitner — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:00:41 +0000

Contractual negotiations are not all about the final number published by columnists on Yahoo! Sports and ESPN. In fact, athletes often sign with teams that do not make the largest offer. For some players, though, an extra million means a lot and they will do whatever it takes to get that extra coin, even if it means leaving your hometown, even if it means leaving a team that could repeat as champions of the league. But what if that team based in your hometown that has the impressive winning record is willing to pay the same amount of money as every other team? Do you press your luck? Do you insult the front office in the process?

Trevor Ariza is a great defender. He showed his skill throughout the 2009 NBA Playoffs. I can distinctly remember many pivotal steals that helped the Lakers bring a championship back to L.A. Unfortunately for Ariza, he and his agent refused a deal in the offseason from the Lakers and Ariza is now stuck in Houston, receiving roughly the same amount he would have made in a new deal with Los Angeles. On the flip side, Artest gets out of Houston, which has many problems to overcome. Will Yao Ming ever play again? When is the last time Tracy McGrady had an impact outside of cheering on the bench? These are now concerns for Ariza and his agent, David Lee, who once felt he had the strong hand in negotiations with the Lakers.

Los Angeles is abuzz over Kobe + Artest. Kobe has a buddy in Artest, who can give him more of a break on defense. Additionally, Kobe no longer has to worry about Artest covering him with his smothering defense in any pivotal games. Los Angeles may miss Ariza, but probably no where near the amount that Ariza will miss L.A.

Maybe Ariza will be happy in his new role with the Rockets. He should receive more playing time and will be relied on much more than he was with the Lakers. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has a different take:

He’s a good player, but he’ll never be a star elsewhere. He’ll just be another player on another team.

Then again, players move around all the time in the NBA. If Ariza is not happy in Houston in a year or two, I am sure we will hear trade rumors involving the Suns or Warriors (for some reason I feel as though I always hear those two teams come up in trade rumors). Or he could drop his verbal commitment to the rockets and sign with the Cavaliers…at least Mo Williams thinks that is what Ariza once thought until he said this.

Ariza, Ariza, ¡Ándale! from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

NBA: Southwest Division Previews

Darren Heitner — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:00:32 +0000

Dallas Mavericks

Jake Kerr: Mavs Moneyball

Houston Rockets

grungedave and UofTOrange: The Dream Shake

Memphis Grizzlies

Joshua Coleman: 3 Shades of Blue

New Orleans Hornets

Rohan: At the Hive

ticktock6 & mW: Hornets Hype

Ryan Schwan & Ron Hitley: Hornets247.com

San Antonio Spurs

Graydon Gordian: 48 Minutes of Hell

Also see links to all the previews at CelticsBlog.com

NBA: Southwest Division Previews from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules