Where Z-Bo would be the answer

Published by http://www.probasketballnews.com/ on 27/10/2008
Link: http://www.probasketballnews.com/todd_102708.html

As I see it, there are only two viable destinations for Zach Randolph -- Detroit or Cleveland. Both teams can offer the Knicks players whose contracts expire before the 2010 season. They can off-load headaches of their own in Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace. But more importantly, they could provide the best environment for Randolph to succeed, and in the process make their own team better.

With all due respect, a young team with a losing record (a la Memphis) would have to be out of its mind to trade for Randolph. His lackluster defense and ho-hum attitude do not translate into team success when he assumes the role of lead player, as evidenced in New York and Portland. However, on a good defensive team, surrounded by strong, influential leaders, Randolph could play a valuable role. Both Detroit and Cleveland fit the bill.

DETROIT

A straight swap of Randolph for Rasheed Wallace works financially. The Knicks get what they desire in an expiring contract, and the Pistons get the shakeup they so desperately need.

Firstly, let’s be clear about one thing: Sheed needs to go. I know the guy has immense talent, but he’s also proven to be a huge liability. He is probably the main reason why the Pistons have flaked in the last three Eastern Conference finals. His emotional blow-ups have cost the team in crucial moments, and for a guy with such tremendous low-post skills, his love affair with the 3-point line is beyond a joke. It simply cannot be tolerated any longer. Not when the Pistons are still capable of winning a title -- which they are, minus Wallace.

With Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton, the Pistons would still have a tremendous foundation. However, the current squad has a championship window of about 1-2 years tops, hence the need to bolster the lineup now. And despite his bloated contract, Randolph could be the answer.

The reason is this: The Pistons have struggled in two key areas -- offense and rebounding. Last season, Detroit was 17th in the league in points per game and 21st in rebounding. Most victories came as a result of the defense, not from outscoring people. Well, guess what? Randolph will give you nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds in his sleep, something Wallace is no longer capable of giving on a consistent basis. Yes, the Pistons' interior defense will suffer without Sheed (Kwame Brown will help in this area), but ultimately they will gain more than they lose, and the remaining core could still be solid defensively.

But what about Randolph’s well-reported attitude problems? By slotting him into the established Piston lineup, surrounded by experienced veterans, he would be forced to conform to the high standards set in the Detroit locker room. And he could concentrate purely on what he does best -- score and rebound. And that’s exactly what the Pistons are crying out for.

Having Randolph on the block would give the Pistons a huge weapon that would blend nicely with their other parts. Yes, it is a risk due to Randolph’s contract (3 years, $48 million), but it’s a risk they must take if they want to get back to the Finals anytime soon.

The last three years have demonstrated quite clearly that something needs to change in Detroit, and as unlikely as it sounds, Z-Bo could be the answer.

CLEVELAND

A straight swap of Randolph for Ben Wallace also works financially. For the Knicks, Wallace’s deal expires in two years, thus their goal of being free of Randolph’s contract in time for the 2010 free-agent bonanza would be achieved.

For the Cavs, they rid themselves of Wallace, who is declining rapidly. His meager averages for the Cavs last season of 4.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, with a contract that spans two more years at $28.5 million, is a hefty price to pay. At least with Randolph you would actually be getting something for your money. But in this instance, the crux is the third year in Randolph’s contract. However, with what Randolph brings to the table -- a legitimate scoring threat and rebounding -- I would be willing to take it on.

As an aside, trading Wallace would allow the Cavs to retain Wally Szczerbiak and his expiring $13 million contract for the remainder of the year (as opposed to trading him). Having this amount come off the books at the end of the season would give much-needed relief to their bloated payroll, and reduce their future luxury tax obligations.

But let’s be honest, even with the trade for Mo Williams, the team as it is currently constructed is not a championship team, period. The Cavs simply do not have the offense to support LeBron James, as last season’s paltry 96.4 ppg average demonstrates (24th in the league). But the addition of Randolph would give the Cavs a third legitimate scorer to pair with LeBron and Williams. And what makes this work is LeBron, through his enormous presence and unselfish mentality.

A three-pronged attack of Williams on the perimeter, Randolph on the block and James everywhere in between could be lethal, and rival the other big trios in the league. On the surface it does appear to be an odd combination, but again, that’s where LeBron’s influence comes into play.

It comes down to this: Unless the Cavs can give LeBron a supporting cast that is capable of contending for a title, he could walk in 2010. They really have nothing to lose. Give LeBron the pieces and he will make it work. At the moment, they do not have enough talent on their roster to get the job done.

If Cleveland cannot give LeBron the support he needs to succeed, they must be prepared to wave him goodbye as he heads to New York (Brooklyn?) in 2010.

The best (and worst) entering '08-09

Published by http://www.probasketballnews.com/ on 20/10/2008
Link: http://www.probasketballnews.com/todd_102008.html

The NBA's off-season is a time for improving your club -- or at least trying. Here is my list of who did the best and worst jobs heading into the 2008-09 season:

MOST LOPSIDED TRADES

1. Jerryd Bayless and Ike Diogu from the Pacers to the Trail Blazers for Brandon Rush, Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts.

The Pacers must not have been thinking clearly when they traded a potential superstar in Bayless for a handful of role players. Note to all GM’s on draft day, if Kevin Pritchard calls, hang up immediately. You’re about to get fleeced!

2. Marcus Camby from the Nuggets to the Clippers for a swap of second-round draft pick in 2010 and a trade exception (to Nuggets).

Surely the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year is worth more than a second round draft pick. A smart move by the Clippers, considering Camby’s defensive qualities, reasonable price ($8 million this season) and short-term contract (expires in 2010).

3. Renaldo Balkman from the Knicks to the Nuggets for Fred Jones and Taurean Green.

Denver virtually gave up nothing to acquire the intriguing Balkman, considering both Jones and Green have since been waived. Balkman has the potential to be a valuable "glue guy’" on a playoff squad, something every successful team needs. His stingy defense and team-first attitude are desperately needed in Denver. For the Knicks, they seem to be getting rid of the wrong players.


STEAL OF THE DRAFT

1. Jerryd Bayless, No. 11, Blazers (from Pacers)

After showcasing his phenomenal skills at the Las Vegas Summer League (averaged 29.8 ppg and won league MVP), teams such as Oklahoma City, New York and Indiana will rue the day they let Bayless slip through their fingers.

2. Darrell Arthur, No. 27, Grizzlies (from Rockets and Blazers)

Did NBA teams not watch the NCAA Championship game when the impressive Arthur scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds? Obviously the Grizzlies noticed -- got themselves a steal by trading for Arthur.

3. Mario Chalmers, No. 34, Heat (from Timberwolves)

Chalmers was sensational in summer league play, with averages of 17.7 points, 7 assists and 2.7 steals per game. Oh yeah, he also hit one of the greatest clutch shots in NCAA Championship history. Not bad for a second rounder.


DRAFT DAY BLUNDERS

1. George Hill , No. 26, Spurs

Using a first-round selection on a little-known player, who at best will be Tony Parker’s back-up, is puzzling to say the least. Hill is a 6-foot-2 shooting guard that the Spurs intend to mold into a point guard (we’ve heard that before). Yes, I know the Spurs struck gold in the past with late selections on Parker and Manu Ginobili, but that was six years ago. Can anyone name a good player the Spurs have drafted since then (from those they have retained, which would exclude players like Luis Scola, who they foolishly traded)?

2. Kosta Koufos, No. 23, Jazz

Selecting Koufos at No. 23 when legitimate talent was still available, was a risky move by the Jazz. It would be very surprising if he turns out to be anything more than a back-up journeyman throughout his career.

3. Joe Alexander, No. 8, Bucks

I understand that Alexander has talent, but why would you select a small forward with the eighth pick when you have just traded for a prime time 3-man (Richard Jefferson)? The Bucks would have been better served drafting for need. By trading back a few spots, they could have selected a traditional power forward to partner with Andrew Bogut on the frontline (Jason Thompson, Marreese Speights or J.J. Hickson).


BEST FREE AGENT SIGNING

1. Elton Brand (5 years, $82 million), Sixers

Last year a low post presence was the only major hole in the Philly line-up. Enter Brand, one of the best low post players in the game. Considering the makeup of their team, Brand was worth the big bucks as it should allow the Sixers to take the next step and contend in the East.

2. Baron Davis (5 years, $65 million), Clippers

Enticing Davis back to his roots was a huge coup for the Clippers, especially after Brand’s departure. With Davis at the helm and a solid supporting cast, the Clippers will be back in the hunt for a playoff berth.

3. James Posey (4 years, $25 million), Hornets

Posey is the ultimate role player. NBA championships are not won without these rare individuals. Posey will take the Hornets to another level. Yes, he’s that good.


BIGGEST OVERSPEND

1. DeSagana Diop (5 years, $31 million), Mavericks

Career averages of 2.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. I rest my case.

2. Chris Duhon (2 years, $12 million), Knicks

Let’s be honest, Duhon has yet to prove anything in the NBA. Six million per year is generous, but with luxury tax the Knicks are effectively paying $12 million per year for his services. That’s insane! Are you sure Isiah is no longer calling the shots in New York?

3. Gilbert Arenas (6 years, $111 million), Wizards

Even at full strength it is doubtful that Arenas is worth $111m, due to his me-first attitude. But now, having recently undergone his third knee surgery in the space of 17 months, this decision will haunt the organization for years to come. On signing for $111m instead of $127m, Arenas said that he took less money because "he didn’t want to be a burden on the team’s salary cap." Give me a break!


BEST BARGAINS

1. Daniel Gibson (5 years, $20 million), Cavaliers

Locking Gibson up for the next five years at $4 million per season is a shrewd move by the Cavs. At such a young age, Gibson already has a reputation as a clutch performer with a deadly 3-point stroke. With LeBron James drawing all of the attention, and newly-added point guard Mo Williams, Gibson should continue to thrive.

2. Baron Davis (5 years, $65 million), Clippers

When Davis is on, he’s one of the best players in the NBA. At an average of $13m per season that’s a bargain rate, assuming his body holds up.

3. Ronny Turiaf (4 years, $17 million) Warriors

Golden State was in desperate need of a banger up front, and at just over $4m per year they found a gem in the young Frenchman. His toughness, defensive intensity and infectious personality will blend perfectly with Don Nelson's run-and-gun bunch.


WORST GM NON-DECISIONS

1. Bulls

By not acting decisively the Bulls lost coach Mike D’Antoni to the Knicks. With young players such as Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah and especially, rookie Derrick Rose, D’Antoni could have turned the Bulls into the Phoenix Suns of the East. This potentially was a match made in heaven and would have been a major attraction to prospective free agents (Dwyane Wade in 2010?).

2. Knicks

It was reported that the Clippers offered a second-round draft pick in exchange for Zach Randolph and his albatross contact (three years, $48 million remaining). My advice would have been to take it and run. The Knicks will not get another opportunity to unload Randolph without having to eat a bad contract in return (see proposed trade with Grizzlies). As long as Randolph remains on the books, the Knicks' chances of signing LeBron James in 2010 remain slim.

3. Pistons

For three years in a row the Pistons have been knocked out in the Eastern Conference finals. What more does Joe Dumars need to realize his team needs a shakeup? Rasheed Wallace has worn out his welcome in the Motor City and is now a major liability. Dumars must act (not just words) and Wallace should be the one to go.


TEAMS WITH THE BEST OFFSEASON

1. Sixers

The addition of Brand makes the Sixers a contender in the East. But that wasn’t all they achieved this summer. They re-signed young stars Andre Iguodala and Luis Williams to lucrative extensions, drafted promising big man Marreese Speights, and added veterans Kareem Rush, Royal Ivey, Theo Ratliff and Donyell Marshall to fill out their bench. While losing Jason Smith for the season to injury is a blow, the Sixers still have all the pieces in place to make a legitimate run at a conference title.

2. Nets

After last year’s debacle it was clear the Nets needed to rebuild and that’s exactly what they did. Enter Yi Jianlian through trade, Brook Lopez, Ryan Anderson and Chris Douglas-Roberts via the draft, and Keyon Dooling, Jarvis Hayes and Eduardo Najera in free agency. It’s quite clear the youth movement is now in full swing, so too are the preparations for the LeBron sweepstakes in 2010. Now all the Nets need to do is trade Vince Carter and the purge is complete.

3. Trail Blazers

Prior to the off-season Portland already possessed an impressive collection of young talent on their roster. With the additions of Bayless, Rudy Fernandez and Nicolas Batum, they are now bursting at the seams with potential superstars. The league should be scared because Portland is building a dynasty.


TEAMS WITH THE WORST OFFSEASON

1. Mavericks

Unless free agent signing Gerald Green becomes a star, expect the Mavs to continue their rapid decline.

2. Spurs

A failure to inject much-needed youth and scoring into the lineup will see the Spurs begin to fade. With the only additions being Roger Mason, George Hill and Salim Stoudamire (all backup PG’s), this will not get it done in the rapidly improving Western Conference. The injury to Manu Ginobili will also set them back.

3. Wizards

Once again, the Wizards have failed to add an impact big man to their roster, which will ultimately keep them firmly entrenched in mediocrity (draft pick JayVale McGee is years away from contributing and now Brendan Haywood may miss the entire season following wrist surgery). And despite what Gilbert Arenas thinks, his bloated contract will restrict the Wizards' options going forward. If the Arenas injury turns out to be a Grant Hill-type situation with Orlando (which is possible), the Wizards are in for a very long six years. Changes were needed to this fragile squad.

Return of basketball's twin towers

Published by http://www.probasketballnews.com/ on 6/10/2008

Link: //www.probasketballnews.com/todd_100108.html

There have been four trades in the NBA this year that could result in "twin tower" basketball becoming fashionable again. One way or another these tandems will have an impact on the NBA next season, and may force other teams to follow suit in order to keep pace.

For the uninitiated, in basketball terms, "twin towers" refers to a team that plays two guys on their frontline who are both capable of playing the center position. Typically, these players bring different skills to the table so as to compliment each other, rather than clash.

Looking back, there are two duos that come to mind when you think "twin towers" in the NBA. The Houston Rockets’ pairing of Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson (1984-1988) and the San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan and David Robinson (1997-2003). While the Rockets were good, finishing runner-up to the Celtics in the 1986 Finals, the Spurs went one step further, winning the championship in 1999. Unless you were a Knicks fan, it was a thing of beauty watching Duncan and Robinson dominate their much smaller opponents. There were times when the Knick players appeared completely helpless against the twin tower assault.

Let’s examine the twin tower tandems of today’s NBA.:

LAKERS – Pau Gasol (7-0) and Andrew Bynum (7-1)

On paper this combination appears the most lethal. Because of Bynum’s mid-season knee injury we were denied the chance to see these two in action, but all indications are they will take the floor together for the 2008-09 season.

In Bynum you have an extremely young (20) and talented post player who was beginning to blossom in a major way prior to injury. He was averaging 13.1 points and 10.2 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per game. The work he put in with Laker assistant Karem Abdul-Jabbar really began to bear fruit, with his post moves, decision-making and defense all showing dramatic improvement. Simply put, for such a young man with so little experience, at times he looked awesome.

Coming over from the Grizzlies mid-season, Gasol was everything the Lakers hoped he would be. He picked up the triangle offense with remarkable ease and blended seamlessly with Kobe Bryant and the rest of the Lakers. Gasol proved that he is an elite post player in the NBA, with consistent scoring and exceptional passing ability for a big man. Although his defense and lack of toughness were exposed in the Finals, this was no great surprise, simply a case of "he is what he is." He is a highly skilled, finesse big man who plays very good team basketball. Defense is not a strong part of his game. If he doesn’t receive support in this area he will be exposed, as shown in the Finals.

With Bynum at the 5 and Gasol at the 4, interior defense will be less of a problem, as Bynum will handle the bulk of the inside dirty work, to which he is more suited. Playing further away from the basket, Gasol’s passing skills and shooting ability will be used to greater effect, while Bynum sets up closer to the basket. The only real area of concern will be Gasol’s ability to defend the more mobile power forwards in the league (i.e. Josh Smith, Antwan Jamison, Michael Beasley/Shawn Marion). However, as most of these players reside in the East, it shouldn’t be a factor in the bigger Western Conference. If it does become an issue, Phil Jackson would likely jiggle the lineup, with Lamar Odom guarding the more mobile bigs.

With their combination of skill and length this truly could be a devastating matchup for opposing teams. If they remain healthy, a return trip to the Finals should be the outcome.

RAPTORS – Jermaine O’Neal (6 -11) and Chris Bosh (6-10)

Both Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Bosh are technically power forwards, but in today’s NBA they can more than hold their own at the center position. Again, health will be a factor due to O’Neal’s injury-riddled past, but if he can stay on the floor, and that’s a big if, it could be a dynamic combination.

Bosh is a superstar in the NBA, but by playing for the Toronto Raptors he keeps a low profile. However, he is widely recognized as one of the best big men in the league, he’s a perennial All-Star, an All-NBA performer and Olympian. He can do it all -- rebound, defend, shoot, play inside and outside. Team him up with a healthy O’Neal and the results could be spectacular.

O’Neal is quite similar to Bosh in many respects but he does possess a more refined low post, back-to-the-basket game. Like Bosh, he’s a strong rebounder and capable defender. O’Neal’s on-court performance is not in question, rather the amount of time he spends on the trainer's table instead of the basketball court. I for one hope he stays injury free because with O’Neal at the 5 and Bosh at the 4, they will be an absolute nightmare to defend. They’re both 20-10 guys in their own right, so together -- with their versatility, all-around skill and explosiveness -- they will be a formidable tandem in the Eastern Conference.

CLIPPERS – Marcus Camby (6-11) and Chris Kaman (7-0)

Not as sexy as the other two but intriguing none the less. Both players complement one another, with Camby known for defense and Kaman for offense. At 26 years old, Kaman is a good young center with a surprisingly well-rounded game. Despite losing focus in the previous season (the by-product of signing a massive 5-year $52.5 million extension), he returned to form during '07-08 with career-best averages of 15.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. Kaman is a highly skilled offensive player and underrated rebounder, and should continue to improve in the coming years.

Camby’s defense is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Clips. He won the defensive player of the year in '07 and makes his living as a standout shotblocker and team defender. He seems to be an unselfish player -- which is an added bonus for the young Clippers. With Kaman at the 5 and Camby at the 4, it will give the Clippers an imposing frontline that will cause major headaches for opposition coaches.

SUNS – Amare Stoudamire (6-10) and Shaquille O’Neal (7-1)

This combo looks great on paper, but it wasn’t enough to get the Suns past the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. On a positive note, the trade for O’Neal rejuvenated Stoudamire by freeing him up defensively, and thus allowing him to be even more dominant on the offensive end. However, the reality is that Shaq’s well past his prime and no longer able to control a game the way he once did.

The only way for the Suns to get optimal production out of O’Neal while enhancing his durability would be to reduce his playing time, perhaps limiting him to short-sharp bursts. Fifteen-to-20 minutes per game, or no more than 5 minutes per quarter would be ideal. He simply cannot handle the riggers of a full NBA season anymore and therefore must be treated like the veteran role player he is. At a hefty $20 million per year that’s a bitter pill to swallow, but the team’s success will ultimately depend on it.

BLAZERS – Greg Oden (7-0) and LaMarcus Aldridge (6-11)

This pairing is downright scary. Should Oden recover from his knee injury and fulfil his potential as the NBA's next great center, and Aldridge continues his rise as one of the best power forwards in the game, everyone beware. The Trail Blazers will have set themselves up to be a powerhouse club over the next decade.

I don't ever recall a more talented PF-C pairing than these two developing together on the same team. In fact, nothing comes close. With Oden 20 years old and Aldridge 23, the potential is there for them to become one of the best big man combos ever. Portland fans, sit back and enjoy the ride. It could be special.

Three young teams on the rise

Published by http://www.probasketballnews.com/ on 6/10/2008

Link: http://www.probasketballnews.com/todd_100208.html

The Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers have long been the NBA’s ugly ducklings, rarely enjoying the taste of success. But finally, the tide seems to be turning. Each team has compiled an impressive collection of young players that could, in time, propel them into contention among the NBA’s elite.

Let's take a look:

Memphis Grizzlies

To be frank, I’ve never agreed with the belief that the Grizzlies got fleeced in the Pau Gasol trade. They were hovering near the bottom of the ladder, yet were still forking out max money to a guy who was supposed to be their franchise player. They desperately needed to unload his enormous contract, clear the deck and start over. And that’s exactly what they did. Perhaps they could have held out longer and sought a more attractive piece in return for Gasol, but the reality is, they filled a need with flexibility, cap relief and young assets. There are some teams in the league who would kill for that (i.e. New York).

The Grizzlies' core now consists of Mike Conley, O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay, Darrell Arthur and Marc Gasol (future starting five perhaps). Without the Pau Gasol trade to the Lakers, this simply would not have been possible. I’ll tell you one thing, if I could start a roster from scratch, I couldn’t dream of a more promising and exciting group of young players to build around. OK, that’s not totally true, there always is the Portland Trail Blazers.

If Memphis can hang on to these guys -- and that’s a big if with this team -- the Grizzlies could become the new version of the Mike D’Antoni-era Phoenix Suns. They have outrageous athleticism and scoring from the wing (Gay), hugely promising point guards (Conley, Kyle Lowry), versatile big men (Arthur, Gasol, Hakim Warrick), and star power (Mayo). If they stick together, the sky is the limit for this group.

Minnesota Timberwolves

With both Al Jefferson and Kevin Love on the frontline, the Timberwolves potentially have the next dominant big man combo. At 23, Jefferson already sports a 20-10 stat line, and Love certainly has the ability to post these numbers in time. But the beauty of a Jefferson-Love pairing is that they are both hard-working guys who are fundamentally sound, smart basketball players. Don’t expect to see flashy ‘look-at-me’ plays from these two.

I foresee a tremendous rivalry developing with the Portland Trail Blazers in the coming years -- with Jefferson-Love versus Greg Oden-LaMarcus Aldridge, we could be in for some epic old-school battles.

While Minnesota’s strength will be its frontcourt, the Wolves also possess impressive talent in the backcourt. I don’t understand why people have been criticizing Randy Foye. The guy had a very solid rookie year in 2006-07, averaging 10.1 points and 2.8 assists in only 22.9 minutes per game, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Unfortunately, Foye missed the first half of last season with a knee injury, but despite the setback he increased his averages to 13.1 points and 4.2 assists per game. His averages over the last month of the season actually rivaled that of Brandon Roy’s season statistics, for whom Foye was traded, and is often unfairly compared. There is no doubt in my mind that he could be a star point guard in this league, somewhat in the mold of Gilbert Arenas. Foye has the size (6-4), strength (213 lbs) and shooting ability to be a superior player at the position. If his health cooperates and he continues to develop his point guard skills, Foye has All-Star potential.

In Corey Brewer, the Timberwolves have their defensive specialist and all-important glue guy. Craig Smith and Ryan Gomes provide extra muscle off the bench, and Rashad McCants, Mike Miller and Rodney Carney add offensive firepower.

The only hole in the team is at the center position. While Love and Jefferson will hold down the 4 and 5 spots the majority of the time, they will need a true center to battle the likes of Dwight Howard, Yao Ming, Tim Duncan and Greg Oden. The Wolves should be targeting a defensive-orientated center, perhaps Andy Varejao (Cleveland) or Jeff Foster (Indiana) -- both of whom appear to be available for the right price. In order to achieve this, they must be willing to sacrifice one of their young players via trade (Carney, McCants, Smith or Miller), or future first-round draft picks (of which they have many). If they wish to compete against the Western Conference elite, this must be a priority for the Wolves going forward.

In Jefferson, Love, Foye and Brewer, the foundations have been laid to a team that should be a playoff regular for years to come.

Los Angeles Clippers

Forget for one moment the drama of the offseason (losing Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, adding Baron Davis and Marcus Camby) and focus instead on the Clippers' impressive stable of young players.

Al Thornton and Eric Gordon are potential stars in this league. Thornton is an offensive beast, who can score in a multitude of ways. His '07-08 averages of 12.7 points and 4.5 rebounds will improve this season as he becomes one of the main options. Likewise, Gordon is a tremendously gifted offensive player. He can shoot the lights out and has the speed and strength to get to the hoop at will. Questions have been raised about his size, but at 6-4 and 215 pounds, he does have the physical tools to succeed as an NBA two-guard (despite what some people say, he is not a point guard). He is remarkably similar to Dwyane Wade (6-4, 216 lbs) in size and stature. And I never hear people questioning Wade’s size at the shooting guard position.

With the 35th pick in the draft the Clippers selected DeAndre Jordan. Jordan was predicted to be a lottery pick, so taking him in the second round was a no-brainer. Although extremely raw skill-wise, Jordan also has the physical tools to make an impact at the next level (7-0, 260 lbs). If the Clippers bring him along slowly and add offensive polish to his game, Jordan could pay huge dividends in 3-4 years.

Therefore, the Clippers have three young players on their roster who have tremendously high ceilings. Add them to a veteran core of Davis, Camby and Chris Kaman (only 26), and this exciting Clippers team has a bright future ahead.

I am not saying these teams are ready to contend for an NBA championship, or to even make the playoffs. But I do believe that with the collection of young talent on their rosters, their longsuffering fans may finally see light at the end of the tunnel. If they can retain these players -- and again, that’s a big if when discussing these teams -- they do have the potential to become the future version of this decade’s Western Conference elite.