Best of the Week: Derrick Rose, Jason Collins & More
Oct 5, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1) congratulates his team mates at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Bulls beat Pacers 82-76. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Each week, the internet blows up with basketball writing from a number of sources. And each week, Right Down Euclid editor will be compiling them for you reading pleasure, starting with the best from Right Down Euclid and moving on to the entire NBA. This week features a team preview from RDE writer Mike Schreiner, a look at the importance of Derrick Rose by SB Nation writer Paul Flannery, a look at the Sacramento Kings by Bill Simmons & Jalen Rose over at Grantland and much more.
Have a suggestion? Tweet Chris @cwmwrites or e-mail him at christopherwmanning@gmail.com.
The Best From RDE
Team Preview: New York Knicks by Mike Schreiner
At RightDownEuclid.com, staff writer Mike Schreiner wonders if the Knicks offseason additions will leave them worse for wear this season. He predicts that they will win 48 games this season and finish fifth in the Eastern Conference.
Team Preview: New Orleans Pelicans by Trevor Magnotti
Also at RDE, blogger Trevor Magnotti breaks down the new-look New Orleans Pelicans (Pellies?) who had one of the more intriguing offseasons in the entire NBA in adding Tyreke Evans in free agency and giving up the block party of Nerlens Noel and Anthony Davis in trading for point guard Jrue Holiday.
Countertop Conversation: Cavaliers Media Day by Zak Kolesar, Kevin Stankiewicz & Trevor Magnotti
RDE’s own Magnotti, Stankiewicz and Kolesar talked about Cavaliers media day and the Cavaliers wacky decision to not name LeBron James the best “23” in franchise history. Give it a read.
From Around the Web
Derrick Rose returns by Paul Flannery
At SB Nation, writer and Boston University professor Paul Flannery breaks down why Derrick Rose’s return is not only important for him, but also for the Bulls.
Bill and Jalen’s NBA Preview by Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose (Video)
Say what you want about Simmons, but the man knows his basketball. Pair him with Rose and you get an solid look at the team the discuss. The DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins discussion alone is worth your time.
NBA training camp storylines to watch by Rob Mahoney
Over at SI.com, the Point Forward blog takes a look at some of the NBA’s most intriguing storylines heading into camp. The most interesting to me? Tyreke Evans in a reserve roll on his new team and the amount of injured stars heading into training camp. Also, in the physical magazine this week, make sure you check out Lee Jenkins piece on Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson switching shooting hands. I promise it’s worth it.
Scenes from Media Day (Photos)
Sports Illustrated also had an amusing photo gallery from media’s days across the NBA. There are lots of great photos in there, but Carl Landry of the Kings wearing a satin blue top hat takes the cake. Also, two Cavaliers made the cut: point guard and savior Kyrie Irving and Russian rookie Sergey Karasev.
Tristan Thompson’s Cloudy Future by Jonathan Tjarks
SB Nation’s Jonathan Tjarks breaks down why Tristan Thompson, for a variety of reasons may not be long for Cleveland. Also, all of their Cavaliers previews can be found here.
Arguably the best NBA writer out there, Grantland’s Zach Lowe breaks down all 30 NBA teams and places them in tiers. There’s also a great anecdote comparing the Western Conference to Zelda in the Ocarina of time, so make sure to at least find and read that.
What makes Nikola Pekovic a load by Mike Prada
Here’s a really good, detailed look at the brute force and effectiveness of Nikola Pekovic on the block. Also, there is a Tyler Zeller cameo, serving as a brute reminder that he has a ways to go.
They Put Art in the Game – Jim Luttrell and Nancy Camden (Photos)
Over at the New York Times Sports department is this great slide slow looking at the Mecca basketball court in Milwaukee. It now is in a museum in Indiana.
Crazier things have worked by Paul Flannery
Making his second appearance in this week’s best writing, Flannery points out an a fact I overlooked in my Pistons preview: the Pistons have to make this work. The have to real pressure to win now – just to be a little better.
What will Damien Lillard do for an encore? by Ricky O’Donnell
Blazers point guard Damien Lillard was the top rookie in the league last year, but for a variety of reasons, some believe that the former Weber State player is close to his ceiling as a player. But if he will get better, there are obvious areas for improvement.
What happens to Danny Granger now? by Jonthan Tjarks
This look at Pacers forward Danny Granger breaks down both sides: how Granger fits in with the Pacers and what his future could be. Side note: Granger is the reason I favor Indiana over Chicago in Central Division.
Best-case, worst-case scenarios by Ben Golliver & Rob Mahoney
For whatever reason, I can’t think of an NBA season in recent memory where I had more questions than definite answers. Over at si.com, Golliver breaks down the best and worst case scenarios for all fifteen Eastern Conference teams, while Mahoney breaks dow the Western Conference.
How much will Mike Brown fix the defense? by David Zavac
Over at Fear the Sword, Zavac breaks down the Cavaliers defense and reminds us all that new Cavaliers coach Mike Brown could make a huge impact on the Cavaliers this season. Shameless plug alert: Zavac also appeared on this week’s episode of Tuesday’s With Right Down Euclid.
If this Deadspin report holds up, then we could be in for an interesting season on ESPN’s NBA countdown show. Gone now are Magic Johnson and Mike Wilbon, which puts Grantland head honcho Bill Simmons and former NBAer Jalen Rose in the spotlight. This is an issue that has been (and will be) going on for a while; some think it will make the show better and it has already been reported that sideline reporter Doris Burke will be joining the show. Considering how many key games will be played on ABC/ESPN this year (i.e. the Finals, Christmas Day games, etc), making this a storyline to watch heading forward.
What we’re learning from Jason Collins by Kevin Arnovitz
Months have passed since Jason Collins became the first American male athlete in a major team sports. It was a watershed moment for sports, but to date, Collins has not signed a NBA contract, although he has received interest from a handful of teams. Arnovitz’s column is a must read, as is this New York Times piece.