Is Draymond Green the NBA's Best All-Around Player?

                                                 Written by Taylor Odenat

A few seasons ago, Draymond Green was nowhere near essential to the Golden State Warriors on the court. He was drafted in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft, headlined by the Kentucky Wildcats product Anthony Davis. Back in 2012, NBA.com described Green as a “do-it-all small forward that could have great value.” Also, Adam Formal of Bleacher Report said “he’s not a great athlete, but his shooting and versatility are solid enough for him to make an impact at either small forward or power forward.” Green has always been regarded as a jack of all trades; however, he wasn’t able to fully display his talents until last season. 

Fast forward past his boost in minutes, emergence during the Warriors championship run, and subsequent All-Star appearance to present day. Following their Game 1 playoff bout against the Portland Trail Blazers, Warriors big man Andrew Bogut made a statement to the media about the Michigan State alumni. Bogut was quoted saying “he’s probably the best all around player in the league at this point.” Many basketball enthusiasts question the credibility of this claim due to the clear bias that the Aussie has for his teammate. He sees Green put in the work and the effort on a daily basis, watching him develop into the player he is today. Green works tirelessly on the offensive and defensive end, perhaps possessing the title of the Warrior's Most Valuable Player. While Bogut’s quote might have been shocking to hear, it’s not that far-fetched. 

Since Green’s rookie season with Golden State during the 2012-13 season, his minutes have increased each year. With his minutes rising as the seasons progressed, his production per contest rose as well. It might have taken a change in coaching from Mark Jackson to Steve Kerr to push forward his development, but eventually Green begun to flourish. He flashed in spurts throughout his first two seasons what he was capable of becoming once he was fully given the green light. He has incredible vision and can legitimately play the point guard position at 6’7. Green was the only non guard, not named Lebron James, ranked in the top 10 in assists per game with 7.4.

Along with his impressive vision, passing, and basketball IQ, Green is a superb shooter beyond three point territory. As he matured in age, his jumpers matured as well. His rookie season he only shot 20% from behind the arc, but eventually skyrocketed to nearly 40% this past regular season. His consistent jumpshot constitutes him as a perfect fit in the modern NBA where big man should be able to spread the floor. No longer can centers and power forwards be left wide open from 22 feet compared to decades prior. 

“DrayMagic”,the nickname bestowed upon him by Isiah Thomas, can do way more than just spread the floor at his position and pass the rock efficiently. He is an exceptional defender and nonstop rebounder. Green finished top 10 in four rebounding and defensive categories. He was top 10 in total rebounds and defensive win shares, while also being top 5 in defensive box plus/minus and total defensive rebounds. On top of that, for the second consecutive year, Green finished second in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award voting to Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard. The 25-year-old is an elite defender with really only two seasons of steady playing time under his belt; that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

He makes such a significant impact on the final outcome of every Warrior game. The first time All-Star finished second in total triple doubles with 13 to Russell Westbrook’s 18. Green is the definition of a stat sheet stuffer every contest he participates in. Before the final buzzer sounds, Green ensures that he puts his stamp on the box score. Green may even be too  insistent that his presence is felt; sometimes to the detriment of his team. Nonetheless, he is the glue that holds the Warriors together on both sides of the floor. His extraordinary two-way play was major to their record-breaking performance of winning 73 games. 

There aren’t a substantial amount of players that can do the amount of work that Green does every time he steps on the court. He handles the ball, when it’s not in Steph Curry’s hands, rebounds the basketball, leads fast breaks, blocks shots, defends every position efficiently, shoots accurately, and brings a certain fire to the locker room that is necessary of a leader. Bogut might have turned heads with his proclamation, but it wasn’t inaccurate. Of course there are notable names that come to mind when listing all-around amazing players. Westbrook, Lebron James, and Anthony Davis; just to name a few. However, they each have weaknesses that puts them out of contention of being the best all-around player. 

Westbrook may rack up a ton of assists, but he reverts back to “Russell Chuckbrook” too often. He’ll race down the court with a head full of steam and tends to play hero ball. Green has a higher basketball IQ in terms of understanding the right decision to make and reading the play/defense. Not to mention his jack of all trade talents didn’t end in the regular season. He showed up when the lights were the brightest and acquired an NBA Championship, something Westbrook has yet to accomplish. 

Davis doesn’t have playoff experience, besides getting handled by the Warriors during last year’s postseason. Additionally, after receiving such a massive contract over the off-season his Pelicans didn’t reach the playoffs out West. The NBA’s all-around best player should be able to make his teammates better and lead games to victory. For example, the Warriors lost their superstar to injury several times during the regular season. That didn’t stop Green from putting on a show and improving those around him. On December 31, Curry didn’t not play but Green still collected 10 points and dished out 16 dimes. Also, on March 1,with Curry on the bench, Green left Phillips Arena with 15 points, 9 assists, and 13 rebounds. Davis hasn’t shown that he can make others around him better, as well as lead them to the postseason. 

James is a different case than the other two names. He is one of the most well-rounded players to ever touch an NBA court. He can rebound, defend, pass, and somewhat shoot. On the other hand, just based off the 2015-16 season, Green has bested Lebron in most of the major statistical categories. He averaged more assists per game, rebounds per game, steals per game, and blocks per game. James obviously has had a more successful career than Green, but presently Green has come out on top. 

There are a ton of talented players in the NBA that are candidates to boast this title. Several players can make their case, but Green is the actual possessor of such an honor. While Green might have missed out on winning the DPOY and MVP Awards, at least he has the accolade of being the “NBA’s Best All-Around Player.”

Atlanta's Playoff Possibilities

Written by Dylan Hunter Carter

Following their 102-101 thriller victory over the Boston Celtics, the Atlanta Hawks displayed their team’s ability to close out games and to play effectively as a unit. Although they haven’t had the most notable season, the Hawks snuck into the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference and solidify home-court advantage for the first round. Head Coach Mike Budenholzer spent 17 years on the Spurs bench alongside Gregg Popovich. As a member of Popovich's staff, he learned the importance of team basketball and crisp ball movement; which he has instilled in his versatile and talented Hawks roster. 27-year-old point guard Jeff Teague has been a staple of the Hawks organization for years and has adapted to many different styles of play. Now, with arguably the best Hawks roster in years, Teague has finally excelled and shown his true potential as a ball handler, floor general, and shot creator for the Hawks.

         The Hawks frontcourt tandem of Al Horford and Paul Millsap have created deadly matchup issues for every single team they’ve faced this year. Horford and Millsap are both efficient post players with effective outside shots. They are easily a top 5 frontcourt in the league and have continuously proved themselves with their underrated play throughout the past 2 years. The pair of big men fit the Hawks needs at both sides of the floor by providing exceptional scoring capabilities, energy, rebounding, and passing. With this combination leading the way, the Hawks may possibly find themselves making a run in the unpredictable Eastern Conference.

         Every great team needs role players, and the Hawks have a surplus of talented role players on their sidelines. Players such as Mike Scott, Walter Tavares, and Tim Hardaway Jr. provide massive sparks off the bench as the Hawks often seem effortlessly interchangeable. Tavares is often called upon for a strong presence down low, Hardaway for his potent offensive skill, and Mike Scott for his fantastic athleticism. The most important X-Factor for the Hawks thus far has been 4th year swingman; Kent Bazemore. After relatively dismal stints with the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers, Bazemore has re-identified himself as a defensive pest and an all around offensive spark plug. Per 36 Minutes, “Baze” averaged 15.1 points on 44% shooting along with 1.7 steals, 3 assists, and 6.6 rebounds. The young jack-of-all-trades can give any team trouble, especially guided by his veteran Hawks teammates.

         With the Eastern Conference title truly up in the air, the Hawks have a real shot at making a run to the NBA Finals. As long as they can stay healthy and fight their hardest they'll succeed in the postseason. The Hawks also needs to battle the idea that they are a “Regular Season Team” and have no playoff experience, but this newly orchestrated squad has the capacity to break their playoff cold streak. Atlanta will face off with Boston on Tuesday night at 7:00 EST on TNT. 

http://a.fssta.com/content/dam/fsdigital/fscom/nba/images/2015/11/13/8909879.vadapt.980.high.26.jpg

Where Will Dwight Howard Sign in Free Agency?

Written by Taylor Odenat

Dwight Howard is approaching unrestricted free agency following the conclusion of the Houston Rockets postseason. When Howard was a free agent a few seasons ago, he didn’t handle the situation all that well. Before his actual contract was terminated with the Magic, he forced his way out of Orlando and was granted a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-team deal. After joining the Houston Rockets a few seasons ago with huge aspirations, he has yet to eclipse the Western Conference Finals. Additionally, this season there were stirring rumors that Howard and James Harden, who Howard was excited to play with, tried to get each other shipped off. With Howard developing durability issues and problems with the franchise’s top player, it seems his time in H-Town has come to an end. The only question now is, where will Howard sign in free agency?

Since his departure from Orlando, Howard hasn’t made a significant impact on an organization; and at this point it might be too late. His statistics might disagree with that statement, considering he averaged a double-double this past regular season with the Rockets and the season prior to his exit from the Lakers. However, his impact on these franchises hasn’t allowed him to capture that championship ring that he covets so dearly. At this point of his career, he isn’t getting any younger and isn’t the same commanding force that he once was. 

Once upon a time, there was no discussion for who was going to win Defensive Player of the Year. From 2008-2011, D12 dominated the annual award and even the year he didn’t win the trophy he still finished third in the voting. Fast forward to present day, Howard is an aging center with knee and back concerns. Is the man once monikered “Superman “still worth a max contract?

DH12 has botched his tenures at his last two locations, so the fourth time has to be the charm. His free agent decision will come down who can provide him with the highest salary or who give him the opportunity to win a championship. After reports of Howard considering a return to Orlando, it looks like he’s seeking the former. Joining the Magic would be an awful decision. Only a mere four years has gone by after that terrible situation that occurred between the two parties. Howard wouldn’t propel the roster to a championship contender and he’s not much of a veteran leader to use that as justification for signing.

Dwight could find a new home in a young team with a dynamic roster and innovative coach such as the Boston Celtics; but their money should be used elsewhere. There’s also the possibility of cashing out and inking a contract with a team that has no hopes of winning in the foreseeable future; see the Philadelphia 76ers. However, that would result poorly for both Howard and Philly. After Dwight eliminates all of the nonsensical options, he should take a trip to Miami and having a meeting with Pat Riley. 

The Miami Heat should be one of Howard’s prime destinations. He’ll immediately be on a roster in title contention with a intelligent coach, cunning front office, and tons of veterans lead by superstar Dwyane Wade. Hassan Whiteside is currently their center and has experienced rapid development. However, he’s an unrestricted free agent and will command tons of dollars. If the Heat decide to part ways with Whiteside, then Howard is a great second option. Miami will pay less money for the aging center than they would for the shot blocking extraordinaire, and Howard finds a suitable new home. Both sides benefit with this deal, Howard gets a strong chance at a ring and Miami won’t have to pay the steep price to retain Whiteside. D12 should consider his options, test the waters, but eventually sign a contract sending him to the “Magic City.”

Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram?

                                                    Written by Taylor Odenat

With the regular season rapidly coming to a close, teams will be preparing to welcome an addition to their roster by way of the 2016 NBA Draft. There will be several teams making a return to the lottery. Franchises including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, and the Los Angeles Lakers will all make their disheartening return to the lottery this year. It’s always beneficial for a team to acquire a young player that can be developed into a substantial piece; however, to constantly be victim to terrible/subpar seasons is a different situation. Nonetheless, whichever organization is fortunate enough to have their ping pong ball selected for the No.1 pick will have several worthy options to choose from.

The Philadelphia 76ers will ultimately finish with the worst record in the league, only managing to muster up 9 wins over the course of 77 games. As a result of their putrid season, General Manager Sam Hinkie and the 76ers will have the highest probability at landing the No.1 overall pick. However, it’s not guaranteed that they will leave the draft lottery victorious even though they lost more games than any other team. Back in 2012, the Charlotte Bobcats concluded with a .106 winning percentage and seven total wins. Subsequently, at the 2012 NBA Draft Lottery, the Bobcats were left with the No.2 pick in the draft and elected to take Kentucky forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. He hasn't exactly turned out to be such a no-brainer decision. Nonetheless, for the sake of predictions; the Philadelphia 76ers will have possession of the first pick heading into the 2016 NBA Draft.

The City of Brotherly Love can’t be too happy with the 76ers tragic performances over the last few seasons. They haven’t gotten anywhere near the postseason since the 2011-12 season, and they’ve made countless questionable decisions. They’ve made interesting choices in the past three drafts, electing to select centers for three straight years; all within the first 10 picks. Nerlens Noel, drafted in 2013, has proven himself to be a defensive stud; but he has shown to have durability issues. Same with Kansas’ one-and-done big man Joel Embiid; he has yet to see the court since being drafted. Lastly, Jahlil Okafor is a major offensive weapon and has proven he can score in the post, but he has troublesome issues with maturity. The 76ers can’t handle another incorrect draft decision. They’re approaching another season without making the playoffs, and they possess a roster not fit to compete in either conference on a consistent basis.

With that being said, there are two admirable candidates to be the No.1 overall pick in this draft; their names are Brandon Ingram and Ben Simmons. The 76ers will perhaps take a look at Buddy Hield for three point shooting, Jakob Poeltl to indulge their love of centers, and Kris Dunn for use of a floor general; these are definitely not the front-runners though. 

Brandon Ingram is a 6’9’’ forward with above average ball handling, the ability to shoot spot-up or off the dribble, and length to bother shots. He’s been compared to Kevin Durant due to his slim frame and impressive scoring arsenal at his size. While he may be only 18 years of age and has time to bulk up, his slender build might be a red flag for the future. His weight is currently 195 pounds, so he’s guaranteed to have difficulties finishing among the trees in the NBA. The other option is an extreme jack of all trades, LSU forward Ben Simmons. Simmons has shown that he is the most complete player in this draft class. He can rebound, averaged 11.8 rpg on the season, he’s a superb passer, averaged 4.8 dimes on the season, and an efficient scorer, averaged 19.3 ppg on 56% shooting. However, Simmons doesn’t seem to have that killer instinct in him. He was unable to guide his team to the NCAA tournament, which brings concern to his leadership and his ability to take over. Nevertheless, Simmons is intelligent and has a high basketball IQ. While a killer instinct is something that’s hard to teach, arguably unteachable, so is an innate knowledge of the game.

The question now is, which forward should Philly pick? This is their fourth consecutive selection in the lottery, they can’t afford yet another mistake. The right move here would be to draft Ben Simmons with the No.1 overall pick. Every player on the Philadelphia roster will benefit from playing with Simmons. Simmons is extremely versatile and while his jump shot might not be super dependable, he is still an elite athlete with vision and playmaking skills. The 76ers need a savior, and Simmons could certainly be that player to finally guide them towards the light.

Winners of the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline

Written by Taylor Odenat 

It’s been over a week since the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline, and there weren’t many blockbuster trades. However, there were several smaller trades that will show to have a significant impact on the future of the season for certain franchises. Some teams made some questionable decisions at the deadline, but others definitely came out on top at the trade cutoff.

Los Angeles Clippers

Trade: Los Angeles Clippers traded Lance Stephenson to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jeff Green and a first-round draft pick.

The Memphis Grizzlies have an interesting infatuation with players who can’t shoot if their lives depended on it. With this transaction, the Grizzlies have acquired guard Lance Stephenson and all of his issues. He signed with the Clippers during the offseason and they hoped they would be getting the Lance that lead the league in triple doubles in Indiana. However, they signed the Lance that was extremely unproductive in Charlotte. The Clippers were able to unload the undeserving $9 million salary that they were paying Stephenson, while obtaining an efficient bench presence in Jeff Green. The Grizzlies decision to relinquish Green was quite questionable, seeing as he was an athletic body that scored 12.2 ppg at a 43% clip. Nonetheless, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure; and the Clippers definitely struck gold.

Phoenix Suns

Trade: The Phoenix Suns traded Morris to the Washington Wizards for Kris Humphries, DeJuan Blair and a protected first-round pick.

Markieff Morris was an absolute disturbance to the Phoenix Suns, expressing his displeasure with his location for months. The trade of his twin brother, Marcus, to the Detroit Pistons filled him with anger, and from that point on he distanced himself from the Suns organization. His existence on that team was one of the several causes of the disaster that has been Phoenix’s season. They fired their former coach Jeff Hornacek, their leading scorer Eric Bledsoe received season-ending surgery, their max contract guard Brandon Knight has been in and out of the lineup, and Tyson Chandler’s career is rapidly declining. However, making this trade got rid of the nuisance that was Morris, and allowed them to gain access to a potential lottery pick in a top-heavy 2016 Draft.

Aaron Gordon and the Detroit Pistons

Trade: The Detroit Pistons traded Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova to the Orlando Magic for Tobias Harris.

The Detroit Pistons on paper got the better half of this trade, receiving Tobias Harris for Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova. Although the Pistons already have a forward that plays similar to Harris, Marcus Morris, his floor spacing ability, mid-range jumpers, and rebounding prowess will all be of great use to the Motor City come playoff time. So far in six games with Detroit, Harris already shooting better from the field, shooting better from three, completing more free throws, and scoring more points per contest. The Pistons needed to get rid of Jennings anyway, so being able to get a workhorse forward in return is quite the accomplishment.

After his ridiculous All-Star Weekend Dunk Contest performance, the Orlando Magic finally seemed to realize the talent they have at their midst. Gordon is loaded with potential and flashed his offensive upside during the Summer League this past off-season. This trade will free up minutes for Gordon at the four and allow him to develop his offensive skills. We’ll never know if the exchange came about because Orlando finally noticed his talent, or because Tobias doesn’t stick around too often on teams that are coached by Scott Skiles.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harrito02.html, http://espn.go.com/nba/transactions/_/date/20160222, http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/2/28/11128948/coach-watson-makes-alex-len-the-suns-top-scoring-option

Portland Becoming a Problem out West

                                                           Written by Taylor Odenat

The Portland Trail Blazers, led by possible MVP candidate Damian Lillard and Most Improved Player candidate C.J. McCollum, are becoming a force to be reckoned with. What seemed improbable at the beginning of the season is now inevitable, as the Blazers are surprisingly in the playoff picture out West. Under performing teams, such as the Rockets and Mavericks, have allowed the Blazers to barrel their way into the seventh seed in their conference. They have lost two games in the month of February, finishing with a record of 9-2; astounding NBA fans everywhere. If they continue their success, they’ll be able to push their way past the Mavericks and the Grizzlies; taking over the 6th seed. Rip City has become this season’s most remarkable and surprising team, after losing practically their whole starting lineup to free agency. 

Damian Lillard has been on an absolute tear in February, scoring 30 or more points seven times, and dropping a career-high 51 points against the top seeded Golden State Warriors. Additionally, he tallied up his 6th 4-point play of the season; which leads the league. The Blazers don’t have a roster that screams playoff bound, but with McCollum and Lillard their potential is sky high. They may fall victim to a first round exit, but the Blazers will certainly put up a fight against whoever they're facing. Lillard may even have the ability to compete in a seven-game series against his old running mate, LaMarcus Aldridge, if Portland remains in the seventh seed come postseason time. 

The Blazers are one great draft pick or one big free agent away from being a legitimate contender. While teams should consider them an issue, they aren’t an actual threat to reach the NBA Finals. Al-Farouq Aminu is playing exceedingly better than advertised, but the Blazers need more than 10 points per game from their starting small forward. They need to improve on their wing scoring, their bench depth, and frontcourt assistance. Meyers Leonard and Mason Plumlee have been producing nightly, but if the Blazers have the chance to acquire a big man then that should be one of their main priorities. Before their explosion, the Blazers seemed to be in a prime position to draft Utah Utes’ Jakob Poeltl; however, that may not be as attainable any longer. Regardless of who they draft or acquire in the off-season, the Portland Trail Blazers have an outstanding backcourt that they can build around for the future of their franchise.

http://www.nba.com/blazers/schedule, http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aminual01.html

The Knicks Fire Derek Fisher

 

Written by Taylor Odenat

Before February 8, 2016, four NBA head coaches have already lost their jobs at the helm; now that number has been increased to five with the addition of Derek Fisher. Phil Jackson fired his former player from his gig as coach of the struggling New York Knicks. When Phil Jackson came aboard, he hired Fisher with the hopes that he would teach the Knick players the way of the triangle offense; being that he was a point guard for Jackson spanning over nine seasons. However, the New York Knicks are doing worse than they were prior to hiring Fisher to replace Mike Woodson in the 2014-2015 season. 

The Knicks have always been a dysfunctional organization for several different reasons. They have a front office lead by one of the most hated men in sports,  they are trying to execute a system that doesn’t fit their players, they are void of first round draft picks to acquire younger players, and the player that they gave an extension to over the summer of 2014 hinders them from actually making any forward progress. The firing of Fisher just adds on to the known flawed organization that is run in New York. 

The failure of the Knicks thus far isn’t on Derek Fisher himself, he is being used as a scapegoat by Phil Jackson and the front office. The Knicks organization gave Fisher a team that isn’t very gifted on offense nor defense, and expected him to coach the team to a winning record. The Knicks have no depth and a lack of offensive production past Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Arron Afflalo. Fisher shouldn’t have to take full responsibility of the disappointment that this Knick season has been. Porzingis continues to make noise but besides his exciting play since being drafted, the Knicks don’t have another player to develop. Anthony will continue being the offensive stopper that he has been for his whole career, so there’s no hope in changing that at this point. Don’t be fooled by his career high 4.2 apg this season, he is still very capable of constant isos and inefficient jumpers. 

Hopefully, Phil Jackson has some sort of plan in place to revive the New York Knicks and release them from their three season playoff drought. Firing his head coach wouldn’t be the first step in that direction for the sake of continuity, but if he has a better option lined up then maybe the decision was for the best. The current pool of fired head coaches does not lack experience at the position. This season, the NBA has seen Kevin McHale get fired by the Rockets, Jeff Hornacek get fired by the Phoenix Suns, David Blatt get fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Lionel Hollins get fired by the Brooklyn Nets. Of all four of these coaches, only Jeff Hornacek hasn’t made the playoffs. In addition to these contenders, Jackson can also choose from defensive savvy Tom Thibodeau, the inspiring Mark Jackson, or assistants just waiting for that career-altering phone call. There’s also the option of going with another one of his former players, which may actually be his best bet at this point.

Luke Walton or Brian Shaw should be Jackson’s next hire at the coaching position in New York. Granted, neither has been a head coach for a long period of time. Walton has only been an assistant prior to being interim coach of the Warriors for half the season, while Shaw has only been at the position for a season and a half with the Denver Nuggets. However, if Jackson desires that the team runs this system that not many coaches know how to run, then he’s going to have to slightly lower his standards. Additionally, once he makes the hire he can’t turn around and fire them at the first sign of trouble. He needs to be patient and realize that the team he signed to be President of is not all that good right now. Steph seemed to enjoy his time with Walton as his coach, and although Shaw’s track record with players isn’t the best; he does deserve another opportunity as head coach to prove that he’s capable.

Who is the Best Shooting Guard in the NBA?

Written by Dylan Hunter Carter

Over the past few weeks of NBA Basketball, we’ve witnessed some of the best competition at the Shooting Guard position since the primes of Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady. Although the position may not have the immense depth of other positions, it certainly has the talent to match. Young talents such as Jimmy Butler and Klay Thompson have taken the league by storm with their explosive styles of play while familiar faces such as Dwyane Wade and James Harden continue to lead their respective teams toward victory. While each player is holding their ground, only one can be named the best shooting guard in the NBA. Here are the NBA’s top 5 shooting guards.

Honorable Mentions:

Victor Oladipo, Bradley Beal, C.J. McCollum, Manu Ginobili, and Khris Middleton

5. Dwyane Wade

Although we are far past the glory days of Dwyane Wade, he still remains one of the top players at his position, even at 33 years old. In 30 MPG, Wade is averaging 18.1 PPG with 4.6 RPG, 4 APG, and a steal. Wade also has the fourth higher PER at the SG position with 20.55. Although his stats are not spectacular, there is no number value to prove Wade’s worth as a leader, competitor, and spark plug for the Miami Heat. Wade’s resurgence in his 12th year in the league has been an invigorating experience for basketball fans everywhere.

4. DeMar Derozan

For years, DeMar Derozan has put up consistently strong numbers without much recognition. Even as the Raptors have emerged as a strong contender in the Eastern Conference, Derozan has been overlooked by the rest of the league. Now, through 37 games player, DeRozan averages a solid 22.8 PPG on 44% shooting along with 4.6 RPG and 4.1 APG. He also has the 3rd highest PER at the shooting guard position and 29th in the league. DeRozan’s fast paced and athletic play style makes him a matchup nightmare for any defender.

3. Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson’s shooting prowess is nearly unmatched at this point in time. His ability to create shots and to extend above defenders to release his is a sight to behold. Although he is primarily known for his shooting abilities, Thompson is actually an incredibly skillful all-around player. Thompson is currently averaging 20.5 PPG on 46% shooting and a stellar 44% shooting from 3 Point territory. Thompson’s size, quickness, shooting abilities, and defensive capabilities make him one of the best underrated players at the shooting guard position.

2. James Harden

Although he has had ups and downs in his 4 years as a Houston Rocket, there is no question about James Harden’s scoring abilities. Whether it be in isolation, catch and shoot, or fast break scenarios, Harden is always a threat to the opposing defense. Harden currently leads all shooting guards in PER with 24.35 in his 45 games played. Harden currently averages 27.6 PPG on 42% shooting along with 6 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. While his stats do portray his fantastic offensive prowess, they do not reflect his atrocious on-ball defense. Harden and his defense have become a laughingstock amongst NBA fans and players everywhere. If Harden could push himself to improve as a defender, he could easily solidify himself as a top 5 player in the NBA, but he will not reach that status until his defense improves.

1. Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler is often criticized as “overrated” or a “system player”, but the past few weeks have been a true testament to the skill of this young shooting guard. In the month of January, Butler is averaging 26.5 PPG on 46% shooting from the field along with 5.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists. Through the downfall of a once dominant Bulls team headlined by Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah came the growth of Butler as a player and as a leader. Butler’s ambition, leadership, and Basketball IQ have all grown immensely in his 4 years as a Chicago Bull. Butler’s defensive abilities and strong all around presence have defined him as the best at his position.

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There Must be a Change in the All-Star Game

                                                      Written by Taylor Odenat

As of January 21, 2016, the All Star Starters for the 2016 NBA Star Game in Toronto, Canada were announced for both conferences. The starting lineup for the Eastern Conference will be: Kyle Lowry and Dwyane Wade in the backcourt, followed by Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Paul George in the frontcourt. For the Western Conference, their starting lineup will consist of: Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook in the backcourt, followed by Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Kobe Bryant in the frontcourt.

Every year there is a problem with what the fans have decided through their voting. Last year, it was Kobe Bryant starting over MVP-candidate James Harden. This year, the popularity contest strikes again, as several worthy players were not voted into the starting lineup. Players such as Andre Drummond, Hassan Whiteside, DeMarcus Cousins, and MVP-candidate Draymond Green will all miss out on the joys of being voted by the fans to be the first five on the court. Andre Drummond is averaging career numbers across the board. He’s pulling down a career-high 15.5 rpg to go along with a career-high 17.7 ppg. Not to mention his Detroit Pistons are sixth in the Eastern Conference at this point in the season. Hassan Whiteside has blocked the most shots in the league and leads the league at a massive four blocks per game. Draymond Green may be on a team with current MVP Stephen Curry, but he is the Most Valuable Player on that roster by far. He can score, pass, rebound, and defend at a high level, and is redefining his position.

Fan favorites Jeremy Lin and Kyrie Irving both almost snuck their way into the All-Star starting lineup as well. So on top of the first five having a lack of centers, they would also have a player who comes off the bench for his team, and a player who has only played 15 games this season. At some point, the mantra “All-Star Weekend is for the fans” gets a little out of hand when players who have barely played or don’t start for their teams can almost crack the starting lineup.

A few seasons ago, the NBA wiped away the center position from the All-Star Ballot, thus making it harder than ever for an actual big man to be selected in the big game. Granted, there are spots coming off the bench for players to be chosen, where coaches decipher who they believe is worthy of being a reserve. Nevertheless, even that is not enough; there will still be deserving players who will be shunned in the eyes of the coaches.

The NBA should revert back to its original voting of each position, instead of combining the positions into frontcourt and backcourt. In that format, big men who work hard every game for their teams receive some recognition. Especially the big men who are actually heading their team to a playoff spot, unlike a forward such as Carmelo Anthony starting; whose team is sitting behind the Miami Heat at ninth in the Eastern Conference. To give Anthony credit he is finally learning to distribute the ball, averaging a career-high 4.1 apg. However, him nor James should be receiving minutes at the five when there are eligible and more deserving players who could take his place.

Additionally, fans shouldn’t have as much total influence in the voting of the All-Star Starters as they do now. Regardless of who is the first five to play, the game will be entertaining to watch. There will no defense played, alley-oops thrown, and ESPN highlight-reel plays no matter who's on the court. Fans should have weight of who gets selected, but players should also have a say in who is chosen. The players can select who they believe should be starting and they can’t chose themselves or players on their own team. That way, it's a mixture of the fans and the players and the results will lead to a starting lineup of personnel who have played top notch basketball for the first half of the season.

While changes may never be made to the popularity contest that is All-Star voting, Adam Silver and the fans need to understand that although it is a weekend “for the fans”, the players who play and make the league millions of dollars earned some recognition on the big stage as well. The popularity competition needs to cease; effective immediately. Hopefully with the leadership of Adam Silver, the NBA will find a compromise so the game is based on merit and not entirely on fan favoritism.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba-news-basketball/archives/4, http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2016/01/21/all-star-starters-announced/, http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/irvinky01.html, http://www.nba-allstar.com/ballot/how-complete-coaches-nba-all-star-reserves.htm, http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/whiteha01.html, http://www.hothothoops.com/2016/1/5/10707322/100-games-hassan-whitesides-greatest-statistical-accomplishments