Insider Sports Network » Marcellis Shaw http://insidersportsnetwork.com "We Know Sports" Sun, 06 Sep 2015 23:39:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.4 Orlando Magic: 2015 Projected Starting Lineup http://insidersportsnetwork.com/orlando-magic-2015-projected-starting-lineup/ http://insidersportsnetwork.com/orlando-magic-2015-projected-starting-lineup/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2015 19:34:29 +0000 http://insidersportsnetwork.com/?p=15912 The Orlando Magic boast one of the most young, yet interesting rosters in the NBA and look forward to finishing up the rebuilding process. After a 15-37 start, Orlando fired head coach Jacque Vaughn mid-season and finished out with a 25-57 record. Orlando is a a very young team with core players still in the early years of NBA […]

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Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Orlando Magic boast one of the most young, yet interesting rosters in the NBA and look forward to finishing up the rebuilding process. After a 15-37 start, Orlando fired head coach Jacque Vaughn mid-season and finished out with a 25-57 record. Orlando is a a very young team with core players still in the early years of NBA citizenship, but in a weak Eastern Conference, almost any team not named the Sixers have a chance to make a big jump in their win column.  The biggest move from the Magic this offseason was re-signing forward Tobias Harris to a four-year, $64 million contract as well as drafting international prospect Mario Hezonja with the fifth pick in the NBA Draft.

Point Guard – Elfrid Payton:

Payton’s rookie year was fairly notable, as he participated in multiple All-Star weekend events and was top ten in points, rebounds, assists (#1 overall), and steals amongst rookies.

Payton provides energy, playmaking, and defense to the young Orlando squad, and they hope for Payton to develop his offensive game more and more this season, Payton’s starting job isn’t in danger.

Shooting Guard – Victor Oladipo:

Now entering his third year, Oladipo is a solid NBA player, but is still trying to find out ways to make himself more effective. Orlando tried to put him at point his rookie year before being moved to the two his second year.

With a stacked roster of young talent, who knows how and who Orlando will use to run the offense. Ultimately, Oladipo is getting better by the minute as he is a hard worker, averaging a respectable 18 points, four assists, and four rebounds per game last season.

Small Forward – Tobias Harris:

Harris is Orlando’s best natural scorer and that new contract reflects how they feel about it. Harris is still a question mark when it comes to his lasting power amongst the rest of the league’s elite scorers, but with more talent around him, he now has a chance to play at a more efficient level.

Harris averaged 17 points and six rebounds per game in a 68 games last season. At 6-foot-9, 235 pounds, he brings size to a league that is using centers less and less.

Power Forward – Aaron Gordon:

It is still unknown what Orlando is really planning to do, but at least they have versatility. Both guards can play the one or two and it seems like both forwards can occupy the three and four spots as well.  Once praised as the next Blake Griffin for his famous YouTube videos when he was in high-school, Gordon is looking to reinvent himself.

Gordon, like Harris, is also 6-foot-9 but probably 15 pounds lighter and doesn’t have a smooth “guard-like” game that you may say Harris has. That’s why Gordon is slotted at power forward.

Gordon is only approaching 20, but he was highly recruited and played for the prestigious Arizona Wildcats, so he won’t be scared to be in the starting lineup.  This Summer League, Gordon was practicing his dribbling, play-making, and three-point shooting to show that he’s too talented to just be a high-flyer. Playing with this team will be great for his progression.

Center – Nikola Vucevic:

Probably the most underrated center in the league, Vucevic continues to put up All-Star Numbers, albeit for bad teams.

Vucevic will only be turning 25, but he will be entering his fifth season with three-straight seasons of averaging double doubles. Very skillful in the post and not a knockdown shooter, Vucevic likes to stretch the floor every now and then. The Magic will hope that Godon, Payton, and Oladipo will make up for Vucevic’s defensive shortcomings, but he is definitely a problem opposing teams have to create a game plan for.

Final Statement:

Orlando is still probably a year away from actual contention, but their starting lineup is one of the most talented in the league. This is definitely going to be a NBA League-Pass team to watch throughout the year.

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Milwaukee Bucks: 2015 Projected Starting Lineup http://insidersportsnetwork.com/milwaukee-bucks-2015-projected-starting-lineup/ http://insidersportsnetwork.com/milwaukee-bucks-2015-projected-starting-lineup/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2015 20:13:36 +0000 http://insidersportsnetwork.com/?p=15607 Milwaukee is fresh off an unexpected 41-41 season and a surprising sixth place finish in the Eastern Conference. According to ESPN’s Hollinger Advanced Efficiency Statistics, Milwaukee was the second best team in team defensive efficiency behind the NBA Champion Warriors, which is saying something for a young team. At an average age of 23.2, getting a young […]

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Photo Credit: David Liam Kyle - Getty Images

Photo Credit: David Liam Kyle – Getty Images

Milwaukee is fresh off an unexpected 41-41 season and a surprising sixth place finish in the Eastern Conference. According to ESPN’s Hollinger Advanced Efficiency Statistics, Milwaukee was the second best team in team defensive efficiency behind the NBA Champion Warriors, which is saying something for a young team. At an average age of 23.2, getting a young team to play great team defense is very promising; now the organization is banking on these young players to develop confidently in their offensive games.  Expect this team to make noise again in the 4-6 seed range in the East. If 2014 second overall pick Jabari Parker doesn’t tear his acl in his left knee in Mid-December the Bucks may have been even better than they were – Milwaukee is definitely a team to watch this upcoming season:

Point Guard – Michael Carter-Williams: A piece of a three team mid-season trade that arguably sent Milwaukee’s best player in Brandon Knight to the Suns, Carter-Williams will have a full season under legendary point guard Jason Kidd.  Carter-Williams gives length and versatility to the team, which seems  to be what Milwaukee is looking for in the way they are building their team. The 2013-14 Rookie of the Year  may not ever become a star, but playing under a point guard who had a rough start to his career offensively as well, Kidd can give 23-year-old some guidance.

Shooting Guard – Khris Middleton: Khris Middleton will be entering his first season under his new five-year $70 million contract and will be expected to be the glue in this starting lineup.  Middleton is a benefactor from the ‘Draymond Green Effect’, where players who can do a little bit everything are incredibly valued in this current NBA and Middleton is looking like a prototypical guy to fit that role for Milwaukee.  In just three years Middleton is already a career 40 percent three-point shooter and at 6’7″, he can also guard multiple positions.  Middleton is not afraid to take big shots, but is a smart enough player to not just jack a bunch of low quality looks.

Small Forward – Giannis Antetokounmpo: The wild card for this team is The Greek Freak. One game he looks like a potential All-Star and the next he can be a mess; but he brings a lot to the team. Giannis is 6’10” with similar frame to Kevin Durant and can put the ball on the floor which makes his best position at small forward.  Freak athleticism makes him a problem on both sides of the ball.  He’s only 20-years-old and if he keeps working hard, he will definitely improve on his 12.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game; that’s all without a reliable long-range shot as well.

Power Forward – Jabari Parker (if healthy), if not John Henson: The former second overall pick Jabari Parker may not be ready as he currently has no timetable, but he will be the starting power forward whenever he’s active as the team desperately needs his scoring ability. Parker may be the only player on this young roster that can create his own shot consistently, and that’s with only 25 games under his belt.  Parker shot a respectable 49 percent and averaged 12 points per game.  If Parker can’t go then plug in John Henson, the smart and lengthy big man, who has a good pick-and-roll game and will add rim protection (two blocks per game).

Center – Greg Monroe: The new addition to the team, Greg Monroe joins the second team of his career after leaving the Pistons where he spent the past five seasons putting up strong numbers.  Detroit didn’t really have Monroe in their plans due to Andre Drummond, so in this case Milwaukee gets a bargain.  Monroe boast averages of 14.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game as well as shooting 50 percent from the field.  He fits Milwaukee well as he is a traditional post up big, which Milwaukee has been lacking for quite some time. Whenever the Bucks aren’t running and the game slows down, they can expect Monroe to give them around 15 a game and draw a couple fouls.  Monroe signed a three-year, $50 million max contract with Milwaukee where Monroe finally gets the contract he thinks he deserves. Hopefully Monroe is motivated with the new contract and change of scenery.

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NBA Free Agency Steal: Josh Smith to join the Clippers http://insidersportsnetwork.com/nba-free-agency-steal-josh-smith-to-join-the-clippers/ http://insidersportsnetwork.com/nba-free-agency-steal-josh-smith-to-join-the-clippers/#comments Fri, 17 Jul 2015 02:44:14 +0000 http://insidersportsnetwork.com/?p=15077    We currently are in the period where the NBA Free Agency market is dried out, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find an impact player. The Los Angeles Clippers may have found that certain player this afternoon when Forward Josh Smith agreed to join the team on the veteran’s minimum, due to the fact […]

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Photo Credit to Troy Taormina

 

We currently are in the period where the NBA Free Agency market is dried out, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find an impact player. The Los Angeles Clippers may have found that certain player this afternoon when Forward Josh Smith agreed to join the team on the veteran’s minimum, due to the fact that the Clippers have no more exceptions and have little to no cap room. 

Smith, who arguably is one of, if not the greatest NBA player to not make an All-Star team reportedly chose the Clippers because he would be given a more “defined” role. The eleven-year veteran was released by the Detroit Pistons last December on a $54 million contract (Detroit used stretch provision), and will receive roughly $5.4 million per year from them all the way through 2019. 

After Smith was dismissed from Detroit, he joined the Rockets where he became a key player with a team that had a plethora of injuries. A career 28% shooter from three, he improved that mark to 33 percent and was a main reason the Rockets came back from the 3-1 series deficit against the Clippers in the Western Conference Semifinals. In Game 6, he was a big factor in a historic comeback where the Clips were up double digits. Smith finished that game with 19 points and 6 rebounds.

Logically, this made sense for Smith. In Houston, he would have had to fight for minutes with Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejounas, who is now healthy. Now in Los Angeles, he will be behind Deandre Jordan and Blake Griffin, making arguably the best trio of bigs in the league. In addition to Smith, the Clippers have added Lance Stephenson and Paul Pierce to their squad, making them a very respectable team in the Western Conference.

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Warriors trade Former All Star David Lee to Boston http://insidersportsnetwork.com/warriors-trade-former-star-david-lee-boston/ http://insidersportsnetwork.com/warriors-trade-former-star-david-lee-boston/#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2015 03:36:34 +0000 http://insidersportsnetwork.com/?p=14955 In a deal that has been rumored to take place ever since the final buzzer sounded, newfound World Champion David Lee has been traded. On a busy NBA free agency Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors have traded former two-time All-Star David Lee to the Boston Celtics for fellow forward Gerald Wallace and a player to […]

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Photo Credit: USA Today Sports

Photo Credit: USA Today Sports

In a deal that has been rumored to take place ever since the final buzzer sounded, newfound World Champion David Lee has been traded. On a busy NBA free agency Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors have traded former two-time All-Star David Lee to the Boston Celtics for fellow forward Gerald Wallace and a player to be named later.

This deal makes sense for both teams for multiple reasons. First the Warriors clear almost $5 million in cap space, (David Lee’s 15.5 mill. vs. Wallace’s 10.1), just in case they want to make another move in the near future.

Yahoo’s Marc Spears reported that Golden State is planning to use the stretch provision on Wallace’s contract so his contract won’t hit the Warriors cap that much for this current season. Former Brooklyn Nets Assistant GM Bobby Marks tweeted that Golden State would only pay Wallace around $3.3 million over the next three seasons and noted it saves them a good amount in tax costs.

Ultimately, the Warriors didn’t want to have a player making $15.5 million a year sitting on the bench with limited minutes.

This makes sense for the Celtics because they need more interior scoring; mostly the big men they have been using play outside the paint, such as Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, and ex-Celt Brandon Bass. Lee will provide a veteran presence in a locker-room learning to win and with the addition of Amir Johnson, the Celtics frontcourt is looking better and should be in playoff contention once again in the easier Eastern Conference.

Lee is only on the books for one more year, so the 32 year-old will be motivated to show the whole league that he still has good production left in the tank. Last year, Lee only played 49 games, averaging just 18 per minutes per night. He managed to average 7.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and was a key factor in the last four games of the NBA Finals.

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5 Sleeper picks in the 2015 NBA Draft Class http://insidersportsnetwork.com/5-sleeper-picks-in-the-2015-nba-draft-class/ http://insidersportsnetwork.com/5-sleeper-picks-in-the-2015-nba-draft-class/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2015 17:30:53 +0000 http://insidersportsnetwork.com/?p=14592 Even though last year’s draft had bigger names and was considered to have the most star potential in the last few years, the 2015 NBA Draft is looking like a deeper one.  Many of the NBA draft picks, especially first rounders, are protected like a newborn in a wolfpack.  Everyone is looking for the next […]

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Even though last year’s draft had bigger names and was considered to have the most star potential in the last few years, the 2015 NBA Draft is looking like a deeper one. 

Many of the NBA draft picks, especially first rounders, are protected like a newborn in a wolfpack. 

Everyone is looking for the next Jimmy Butler (30th overall), DeAndre Jordan (35th overall), or Isaiah Thomas (last pick of 2011). With that being said here are five sleeper players who can go on to make a name for themselves in the league.

1. Tyus Jones: PG Duke (Freshman)

The Final Fours’ Most Outstanding Player isn’t usually a sleeper, but Jones hadn’t really created any buzz after the college season has ended. 

This is most likely due to Jones’ size (6’ and 180-ish to be generous) as well as the rise of Murray St.’s Cameron Payne, whose 20 points and six assists per game has skyrocketed his stock. 

Payne has been pegged as a Damian Lillard-like pick, high scorer from a small school that can become a star. But, Jones has championship pedigree (High School and College Champion), outplayed Okafor and Winslow multiple times throughout the season, and is comfortable running a team without needing to score a lot. 

His 38 percent shooting from three will translate well too; he can have a career progression similar to Mike Conley. Jones is expected to go in the early 20’s.

2. Justin Anderson SF Virginia (Junior)

Looking for a three-and-D guy? Anderson may be the next up. Considered a hustler and bruiser in the beginning of his college career, Anderson had developed more scoring potential last year averaging 12 points per game  before a hand injury derailed him in February. 

Tony Bennett’s complex defense should prepare Anderson to be a great team defender in the NBA, which will give him a reason to get some burn. 

Anderson will be valuable if he is on the right team; Virginia never won it all, but they have been one of the best programs since Anderson has been there. Being 6’6 and 230 lbs gives him good size as well.

3. Rakeem Christmas PF Syracuse (Senior)

Probably overshadowed due to the recent fall of the Syracuse basketball program, Christmas is a freak of an athlete. Although only 6’9, Christmas was measured with a 7’5 wingspan, proving he can definitely cause problems in the next level. 

Last year, he showed that he can score in the post at will (17 points per game). Christmas can earn play if he can continue as a two-way player. 

Athletic and mobile enough to run the floor, he was reportedly at the combine was knocking down midrange jumpers at a good rate. 

Christmas is projected in the early second round due to his age at 23-years-old as well as the question if he can play man-to-man D, as Syracuse plays that famous zone defense every game.

4. Joseph Young PG Oregon (Senior)

Young may not even be drafted, but man this guy can go. Young received Pac-12 Player of the Year honors and had carried an Oregon team to the tournament the two years he’s been there, despite all of the transfers and off the court turmoil around the team. 

Young is a streaky type who can go from having nine points to 20 in a few minutes.

His career average of 39 percent from three gives him an outlet to space the floor, but he is best at breaking his defender down with the dribble, as his small stature (6’2 and 182 pounds) gives him quickness that most can’t match. 

The knock on Young is he is turning 23 and he needs to show how to impact the game more than be that heat check scorer. I know one thing though, when he is on the court, he is a player that has to be defended.

5. Brandon Ashley PF Arizona (Junior)

Ashley was a highly regarded recruit coming from the great and legendary Findlay Prep out in Nevada, 15th overall in the nation. 

Ashley’s career has been fairly quiet; not that he hasn’t produced numbers, but Arizona has been so deep, a player usually doesn’t stand out with all of the games they’ve won. 

Ashley biggest value is that he is a stretch four who can shoot very well from mid range, and is usually more athletic and quicker than most power-forwards. 

Ashley was the leader on those great Zona’ teams, always finding a clutch bucket when they needed one. 

At 10.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, his numbers seem underwhelming, but he also shot an excellent 53 percent from the field meaning he is an efficient scorer. 

If scouts are forgiving to Kentucky’s players for their underwhelming stats due to a stacked team, why can’t they do the same to Arizona prospects? 

At 6’8 230 pounds, Ashley is a tweener, which has scared teams lately. The Junior prospect most likely will not get drafted, but his efficient scoring and NBA talent is deserving of a roster spot.

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Kings’ D’Alessandro to Leave Team for Position With Denver Nuggets http://insidersportsnetwork.com/kings-dalessandro-leave-team-position-denver-nuggets/ http://insidersportsnetwork.com/kings-dalessandro-leave-team-position-denver-nuggets/#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2015 22:14:25 +0000 http://insidersportsnetwork.com/?p=14249 A departure that has been foreshadowed for months now in Sacramento, as it’s been declared that Kings general manager, Pete D’Alessandro, has left his position in the organization. This departure isn’t one where he rides out into the sunset or pursues other ventures; D’Alessandro is accepting a front-office position with the Denver Nuggets, where he […]

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Photo Credit: Kyle Terada/USA TODAY

Photo Credit: Kyle Terada/USA TODAY

A departure that has been foreshadowed for months now in Sacramento, as it’s been declared that Kings general manager, Pete D’Alessandro, has left his position in the organization.

This departure isn’t one where he rides out into the sunset or pursues other ventures; D’Alessandro is accepting a front-office position with the Denver Nuggets, where he was previously employed as a front-office executive before joining the Kings in 2013. D’Alessandro will serve as general manager of the Nuggets. D’Alessandro had a choice to become the athletic director of his alma mater at St. Johns, but he chose to return to Denver.

In Sacramento, D’Alessandro’s presence lost its weight quickly once leaked stories started to pour out about his power and decision making struggles going on in Sacramento. Some rumors and stories even brewed that owner Vivek Ranadive had the true power over D’Alessandro. In March, former Kings’ player Vlade Divac was named Vice President of Basketball Operations, and Ranadive gave Divac the role of, “decision maker” for the organization, leaving D’Alessandro in the weeds, which is not good for a person that high in ranking .

The Kings front office has been less like an organization, but more like a drama sitcom. There has been conflicting reports that D’Alessandro and Chris Mullin were behind the questionable firing of head coach Mike Malone, then some say Vivek forced Pete to make the move.

I ponder this because if D’Alessandro is joining the Nuggets, which just so happens to be interviewing Malone as a serious candidate for the coaching job, certain aspects point out that it might have been Vivek who made the decision.

Midway into the season, D’Alessandro’s consultant, Mullin, departed from the team to become coach at his alma mater at St. Johns, just weeks after the Kings were trying to persuade Mullin to become coach next season.

Mullin isn’t the only personnel to vanish from the team; according to the Sacramento Bee, long term King official Shareef Abdur-rahim was let go from the organization after a disagreement with D’Alessandro to draft now Kings shooting guard Nik Stauskas. This apparently rubbed people the wrong way as well as star player DeMarcus Cousins who was mostly angered because the way the Mike Malone firing went down, as well as the team’s toying of then interim coach Tyrone Corbin, who was then replaced by now coach George Karl in mid –February.

D’Alessandro’s most notable moves during his tenure will be the successful trade and signing of Rudy Gay, but also his plunders and handlings of players such as Tyreke Evans, Isaiah Thomas, as well as signing Carl Landry (four-years, $26 million), drafting Nik Stauskas after already drafting shooting guard Ben Mclemore the previous year and not being able to move Jason Thompson.

Now hopefully the Kings can remain more stable on the court and in the front-office, as Divac and Vivek have a lot to work to do as well as assistant general manager Mike Bratz.

*Sources Yahoo Sports & Sacramento Bee

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Chicago Bears Release Ray McDonald http://insidersportsnetwork.com/chicago-bears-release-ray-mcdonald/ http://insidersportsnetwork.com/chicago-bears-release-ray-mcdonald/#comments Wed, 27 May 2015 21:48:20 +0000 http://insidersportsnetwork.com/?p=13907 Chicago Bears defensive lineman Ray McDonald has been released following another arrest linked to domestic violence. The ninth year pro was charged with domestic violence and child endangerment. This marks McDonald’s third legal issue this past year. McDonald’s arrest occurred at 7.am early Monday, after police were dispatched around 4 a.m. He was later booked […]

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deadspin.com

deadspin.com

Chicago Bears defensive lineman Ray McDonald has been released following another arrest linked to domestic violence.

The ninth year pro was charged with domestic violence and child endangerment. This marks McDonald’s third legal issue this past year.

McDonald’s arrest occurred at 7.am early Monday, after police were dispatched around 4 a.m. He was later booked at Santa Clara county jail.

The 30-year-old veteran first began his legal troubles in August, where he was arrested for domestic abuse (felony), when he got into an argument with his fiancée.

His former team, the San Francisco 49ers, decided not to release him due to the charges never being filed, as they wanted the case to do its due process when it came to the arrest.

During December, McDonald was cited in a sexual assault investigation which resulted in the team releasing him. That case is still being investigated to this day.

The Bears wasted no time in making a decision on the troubled player as they dismissed him from the team immediately.

GM Ryan Pace released this statement:  “We believe in second chances but when we signed Ray we were very clear what our expectations were if he was to remain a Bear, He was not able to meet the standard and the decision was made to release him.”

McDonald’s contract included a strict guideline that he avoid any additional off-the-field issues. He was set to make $1,050,000 this year.

McDonald will most likely never play in the NFL again, as he will most likely receive a ban or just not be touched by any other NFL team.

The Bears won’t receive any punishments most likely but this will pose a question if there should be a consequence or a some sort of regulation when teams sign players with a past of domestic violence; but as of now that’s just a discussion in the air.

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The Hack-A-Shaq is here to stay, for now http://insidersportsnetwork.com/the-hack-a-shaq-is-here-to-stay-for-now/ http://insidersportsnetwork.com/the-hack-a-shaq-is-here-to-stay-for-now/#comments Fri, 15 May 2015 03:08:07 +0000 http://insidersportsnetwork.com/?p=13546 The hot-topic issue in the NBA right now is inserting a rule that would ban the “Hack-a-Shaq.” The Hack-a- Shaq is when a team would intentionally foul a terrible free-throw shooter before the offensive team gets into their play set, in hopes of getting ahead in multiple ways during the course of the game; obviously […]

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The hot-topic issue in the NBA right now is inserting a rule that would ban the “Hack-a-Shaq.”

The Hack-a- Shaq is when a team would intentionally foul a terrible free-throw shooter before the offensive team gets into their play set, in hopes of getting ahead in multiple ways during the course of the game; obviously this originates from fouling legendary big man Shaquille O’Neal excessively. 

The Hack-a- Shaq has been on prominent display and in the spotlight during the NBA Playoffs, where players such as the Mavs’ short-tenured Rajon Rondo, the Rockets’ Josh Smith and Dwight Howard, and all-time Hack-a-Shaq player, Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan. 

In a memorable Spurs-Clippers first round playoff series, the intentional fouls on DeAndre Jordan were the dark spot in those games. 

According to ESPN.com’s Kevin Pelton, Jordan was intentionally fouled 30 times in the Spurs series, which is almost as many times as the 2013 and 14 NBA Postseasons combined (32).

Fast forward to the present, weeks later and we have a Clippers–Rockets series where it is nearly unwatchable at times. In a game four win against the Rockets, Jordan was 10-28 in the first half, and went on to finish 14-34 throughout the whole game. That is a whole lot of free throws for a player who doesn’t create his own shot. 

Hack-a-Shaq destroys the flow of the game and also draws out the duration of it, which probably makes East-Coast hoop fans cry into the fetal position every night when intentional fouls ensue. 

At times, the Hack-a-Shaq technique backfires on the fouling team, which happened to the Spurs in their losses in Games 1 and 4.  In game four, they somehow lost their lead when they started to repeatedly foul Jordan. 

The repeated fouling then led to a Spurs team who couldn’t score on offense for most of that second half.

After all the fussing, discussing, and complaining about the intentional fouling tactic, it’s here to stay, for now. 

At the annual meeting of NBA general managers on Wednesday in Chicago, there reportedly was “no overwhelming consensus to change the rules to discourage teams from intentionally fouling poor free-throw shooters.” (Via CBSSports Ken Berger).

During that meeting, data was presented that showed the problem of Hack-a-Shaq is a very isolated one. According to that data, 76% of the intentional fouls this entire season have been committed against only five players, who were: The ones mentioned included; DeAndre Jordan, Josh Smith, Dwight Howard, with Joey Dorsey and Andre Drummond being the remaining two.

Also the data showed Jordan has accounted for around half of all intentional fouls this season.

It seems that league officials aren’t ready to impulsively pull the trigger on something that hasn’t been proven to be a huge problem recently, as well as in the past. 

With evidence as recent as the Clippers 128-95 Game 4 win against the Rockets (Jordan’s 34 attempts), sometimes the tactic can backfire. 

Another argument with a few coaches, is that why should a rule be placed for someone who can’t make free throws? It isn’t the other team’s fault they can’t make them. 

As of now, it seems like we will have to wait another season to see where the Hack-a- Shaq strategy goes and what the data will show. I suggest bringing a pillow to the couch if there’s a poor free throw shooter on your teams roster.

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Can they do it again? Clippers’ Paul doubtful for Game 2 http://insidersportsnetwork.com/can-clippers-paul-doubtful-game-2/ http://insidersportsnetwork.com/can-clippers-paul-doubtful-game-2/#comments Wed, 06 May 2015 01:51:20 +0000 http://insidersportsnetwork.com/?p=13244 After a shocking 117 -101 Western Conference semifinal game one victory against the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Clippers will be asked to duplicate their success yet again without their star point guard, Chris Paul. On Tuesday, the Clippers officially listed CP3 as doubtful to play in game two. Paul is nursing a left hamstring injury which […]

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Photo Credit: Joe Murphy - Getty Images

Photo Credit: Joe Murphy – Getty Images

After a shocking 117 -101 Western Conference semifinal game one victory against the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Clippers will be asked to duplicate their success yet again without their star point guard, Chris Paul.

On Tuesday, the Clippers officially listed CP3 as doubtful to play in game two. Paul is nursing a left hamstring injury which was suffered during the team’s game seven win against the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs.

In a game where no one counted on a Clippers team that isn’t already deep as it is, the Clips used a complete team effort and a triple-double from All-Star Blake Griffin, to give them a commanding 16 point win. The lead ballooned to double digits after a chess match of Hack-a-Jordan and Hack-a Howard ensued in the late fourth quarter. That strategy gutted momentum for both teams (it took 11 minutes to play 26 seconds), as the Clippers just so happened to make a few plays at the end to seal the victory.
Chris Paul played an incredible series against the Spurs (22.7 points & 7.9 assists per game) and seems to be immortal, as last night was his first missed game all season.
As for the Houston Rockets who seemed to be very disinterested in winning the first game of the series, will have a great shot to redeem themselves with Paul still sidelined.

Without Paul the Clippers have shown that they will be competitive and Blake Griffin may have a say on stealing another game in Houston, as he will enter the game on a two-game triple double streak. Los Angeles will likely call Austin Rivers to start in Paul’s replacement again, who scored 17 points and dished three assists in game one.

The post Can they do it again? Clippers’ Paul doubtful for Game 2 appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

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From Bad to Worse: Suns’ Morris Twins charged with Assualt http://insidersportsnetwork.com/bad-worse-suns-morris-twins-charged-assualt/ http://insidersportsnetwork.com/bad-worse-suns-morris-twins-charged-assualt/#comments Fri, 24 Apr 2015 03:00:50 +0000 http://insidersportsnetwork.com/?p=12659 On what can be described as a dark hole that was the second half of the Phoenix Suns season, this story is cherry on top. In multiple trades during the trade deadline, Phoenix traded talented players in Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas as well as sending away prospects in Tyler Ennis and Zoran Dragic. Then […]

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Mark J. Rebilas - USA Today

Mark J. Rebilas – USA Today

On what can be described as a dark hole that was the second half of the Phoenix Suns season, this story is cherry on top. In multiple trades during the trade deadline, Phoenix traded talented players in Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas as well as sending away prospects in Tyler Ennis and Zoran Dragic. Then Phoenix gave up a coveted pick to acquire point guard Brandon Knight, who has proven to be a decent player, but not better than the two guards the Suns sent packing.

It is safe to say that Phoenix is banking on who they currently have right know to justify their recent roster moves, and that means the Morris twins. And as underwhelming as the Suns season was, now the Morris twins have gotten themselves in trouble with the law.

Yesterday, the Morris’ were charged with aggravated assault due to an altercation at a high school basketball game in January. The police indicated that the twins and three other men attacked a man outside where the game was taking place.

The twins signed contract extensions worth $52 million in fall 2014 (Markieff four-years, $32 mill & Marcus four-years, $20 mill) as well as given more responsibility and freedom on the court after Channing Frye left for Orlando. The Suns expected breakout seasons from the twins but were disappointed.

Markieff had a five minute increase (31.5 per game) but dipped his shooting percentage from 48 to 46 percent; his blocks, steals, assists, and rebounds didn’t increase significantly either. He did average a respectable 15 it but seems like you know what you’re going to get from Markieff as a player. As for Marcus, His minutes increased a few to 25 per game and has a better three point shooter than his brother (35% to 31) but his overall field goal percentage is an inefficient 43% (for a power-forward). Marcus increased his points and his rebounds per game by one (10.4 & 4.8), but hasn’t proven he has earned more than 25 minutes per contest.

Erik Hood, the man that was attacked, was beaten over inappropriate text messages that were sent to the Morris brother’s mother. Hood was reportedly a former mentor to the Morris twins during their high school and college days, but apparently the brothers didn’t appreciate their old friend wooing their mother.

The Suns seemed to be very let down and President Lon Babby released this statement “ We are disappointed to learn that Marcus and Markieff Morris have been charged. This is a serious matter, and we will treat it as such.” (Via Yahoo Sports and AP).

We won’t know how this will affect the Morris twin’s future just yet, but if judicial actions are taken upon them, it could affect their level of play this upcoming season, where they need to improve.

The brothers are now summoned to appear at court on May 7th.

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