NBA Players Who Are Now Pressured To Win Their First Ring

The Miami Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight to win the 2012 NBA Championship. The pressure is now off Lebron James and Chris Bosh. The NBA is filled with young stars who have played past the age in which people expected them to already have a ring. It is hard to win a championship when you have Kobe Bryant, Boston's "Big Three, and now Miami hogging up all the titles.

Lebron got the monkey off his back and he has given it to a few other NBA players. I've scoured through rosters and made a list of players who are now pressured to win an NBA Championship.

The 2011 Dallas Mavericks had many players who had to wait 10+ years to win their first title (Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, etc). There is hope for these players and odds are a few will win a ring in the next few seasons.
Kevin Durant (age 23) - I guess that I should start off with a couple players who just lost in the NBA Finals. Kevin Durant has a couple scoring titles under his belt and had a great postseason. He will have many other opportunities to get his ring and maybe he needed this loss to help push him to the next level. Durant is locked up with the Oklahoma City Thunder long term. They have some nice pieces around him and they will get even better.

Russell Westbrook (age 23) - Westbrook and Durant play really well together, but they came up just a bit short in the 2012 NBA Finals. James Harden and Serge Ibaka didn't have a strong series, but they have both of them signed through next season. If OKC can sign them for three or four year deals, this team will be even scarier. Russell Westbrook is a turnover waiting to happen, but fixed that problem in the postseason. OKC will have Eric Maynor back next season and could give Westbrook some time at two-guard.

Dwight Howard (age 26) - The Orlando Magic center (for now) has already made a NBA Finals appearance and lost. His current contract situation has made the news over the last 18 months and painted him in a very negative light. If Dwight Howard were to be traded, he would have a lot of pressure on him to bring a championship. The rumor is the Los Angeles Lakers want him and Howard wants to play for them, but Lakers would have to trade Andrew Bynum and their salary cap situation is messy. I don't see him going to the Lakers unless they decide to go above the luxury tax threshold.

Steve Nash (age 38) - He is the one player in the NBA that basketball fans would love to see win a ring the most. Steve Nash had many chances to jump ship and basically pick a team to be traded to, but he was loyal to the Phoenix Suns. He is an unrestricted free agent this off-season and wants badly to win a ring. I could see him signing for near the minimum amount to join a contender for one last run. New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City, and Miami are great fits for Nash in 2012-13.

Chris Paul (age 27) - He is currently in the situation that Lebron was in previous to this year. He is in a new place with some nice talent around him. Can Chris Paul recruit enough talent to join the lowly Los Angeles Clippers? It remains to be seen if the Clippers can keep any talent past their first contract. They need more than Griffin and could use some perimeter shooters. Donald Sterling will need to tone down the crazy and open up his wallet if he wants to finally get a banner at the Staples Center.

Deron Williams (age 27) - Williams is a guy that basketball purists would always point to when people  would claim that Chris Paul was the best young point guard in the NBA. Well, both players find themselves in different places and Williams was stuck in New Jersey for the last 18 months. He is a free agent this off-season and is rumored to be headed to Dallas. This would put him in a great situation with an owner who wants to be a contender every season...plus he gets to play next to Nowitzki.

Carmelo Anthony (age 28) - Anthony forced his way out of Denver to play in a bigger market. He took a lot of heat from the media for being a diva. The New York Knicks haven't won a championship in my lifetime and the pressure to do so is immense. Anthony is a scorer and needs a few players around him to force teams to play man-to-man. Amar'e Stoudemire is a nice piece, but he also needs to score to get the most out of his game. A full season of Jeremy Lin will be a test to see if Anthony's game will ever translate to winning an NBA title.

Derrick Rose (age 23) - The Bulls have been trying to add pieces to surround Derrick Rose with NBA championship caliber players. They attempted to swing for the fences by signing Carlos Boozer, but struck out swinging. Rose was hurt for most of the 2011-12 season and injured his knee in the first round of the playoffs. It is unknown how much time Rose will miss next season and Chicago may force him to ease back slowly. Rose will win a title because he's too good of a player, but it could be with a different roster in the future.

Other notable players who have yet to win an NBA title: Zach Randolph, Josh Smith, Danny Granger, Kevin Love, Elton Brand, and John Wall.

Re-Do - 2008 NBA Draft

I have done a few of these "Draft Re-do" posts and you really can't judge any professional sports' drafts until after three years. You always have a few late-bloomers that still makes you look at a draft and wonder "why didn't my team draft him?"

The 2008 NBA Draft class is full of All-Star selections, an MVP, and a few guys who blossomed during the NBA Playoffs. You also have a few  players that didn't materialize in the NBA. The last time you heard Joe Alexander's name was when David Stern called his name as the 8th pick. Overall, this draft class is quite deep and much better than the top-heavy 2007 draft class. There are a few guys that we're still waiting for them to peak, but I'm optimistic that they will come through. Does Michael Beasley and O.J. Mayo make it into the Lottery during our re-draft?

1. Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls - This isn't much of a surprise. I would have bet money that Rose would be one of the game's best by now. The Bulls got pretty lucky with this pick, but as deep as this draft was, they would have still received a pretty good player later in the lottery. After everything is said and done, Rose should have a few rings and many other accolades. (Rose went #1 to Chicago)

2. Russell Westbrook – Miami Heat – I have to admit that I did not love Westbrook when he came out after his sophomore year at UCLA. I thought that he needed another year and when he went #4 to Oklahoma City, I thought that was insanely high. He has done everything to prove me wrong since he's been in the NBA. What is scary about Westbrook? He hasn't even peaked yet and he's looking like an All-Star. (Westbrook went #4 to Seattle)

3. Kevin Love – Minnesota Timberwolves (traded to Memphis) - I was a big Kevin Love fan when he left UCLA. Come to think of it, how did UCLA not win a championship with Love, Westbook, & Collison? Memphis would be a fantastic team with Love, but they wouldn't have traded for Zach Randolph. A duo of Marc Gasol and Love would be a bit soft, but you would get scoring and rebounding production all day. (Love went #5 to Memphis)

4. Roy Hibbert – Seattle Supersonics – I have to put Hibbert at #4 because he's one of the lone players in this draft to have already earned an all-star selection. I find it hard to believe that Joe Alexander and Marreese Speights were drafted before him. Once Hibbert learns how to shoot a nice 10-foot jumper, he'll be more similar to Patrick Ewing. He's a legit 7-footer with post moves, which is quite rare these days in the NBA. Hibbert has a chance to be great and his best basketball is yet to come. (Hibbert went #17 to Indiana)

5. Serge Ibaka – Memphis Grizzlies (traded to Minnesota) - An argument could be made about not taking Ibaka at #5 from this year's draft class. You would be basing your information by taking about a year and a half of basketball. I have seen enough of him to know that he's going to win a couple Defensive Player Of The Year awards during his career. If his offensive game improves, you could eventually move him up a few spots. (Ibaka went #24 to Seattle)

6. Brook Lopez – New York Knicks - If Lopez could stay healthy, he would be higher in this re-draft. In 2008, the Knicks were bad...really bad. Lopez would have been the franchise's savior. They ended up picking Danilo Gallinari at this spot, who was in the package that they flipped for Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks didn't lose anything by picking Gallinari here, but Lopez would have been interesting in New York. (Lopez was picked #10 by New Jersey)

7. Danilo Gallinari – Los Angeles Clippers - Gallinari is one of those guys that everyone is waiting on. You have seen flashes over the last few seasons, but he's still improving. I expect that he'll grow in Denver and be the face of that franchise. The Knicks may regret trading him for Carmelo in the long-term. (Gallinari went #6 to New York)

8. Eric Gordon – Milwaukee Bucks - I have loved Eric Gordon since he was in college. He is a pure shooter and a bit underrated. He was included in the Chris Paul trade and he's been injured for most of the season. It would have been nice to see him have more time with Blake Griffin. He will be a free agent this summer and he will be a coveted guy. I added him this high because of his playing skills and his ability to down two pieces of Sbarro's pizza in less than two minutes (I saw him at the Charlotte airport Sbarro's in 2009). I am hoping that Gordon will find his way on the Pacers, for purely selfish reasons.  (Gordon was chosen #7 by L.A. Clippers)

9. Mario Chalmers - Charlotte Bobcats -  Chalmers is a player that you either love or hate. The people that hate him say that he's a system point-guard and that anyone could play with Wade, Bosh, and Lebron James. The people who love him think that it takes a special player to be able to hang with the best trio of players in the NBA. He's a very good defensive player, but could improve with his mid-range game. The Bobcats would have benefited from picking Chalmers over D.J. Augustin. (Chalmers was picked #34 by Minnesota - traded to Miami)

10. O.J. Mayo – New Jersey Nets - Mayo should be higher on this list, but he's blocked by Rudy Gay. He has earned more playing time, but he's a trade chip for the Grizzlies. If he was on a team that needed SG & SF help, he would be a starter. Mayo was all hyped up coming into college and he didn't do anything special at USC (besides allegedly getting Tim Floyd to hand deliver money). I still think that he's a special player, but he has to start working at getting better at the NBA level. (Mayo was picked #3 by Memphis)

11. Michael Beasley – Indiana Pacers (traded to Portland) - Beasley is another guy who came into the NBA with a lot of hype, but lacked any sizzle his first couple years in the NBA. He was a casualty in the Lebron James saga and landed in Minnesota. He has done very well for them and doesn't have to be the #1 or #2 scoring option. He will flourish in a system in which he doesn't have a lot of pressure on him. The Pacers currently have a player like him on their roster, Tyler Hansbrough. (Beasley was picked #2 by Miami)

12. Goran Dragic – Sacramento Kings -  In a few years, Dragic could be much higher on the list. He's currently on the Houston Rockets and getting his first shot at running the offense. He has been a star for them, but they need a few more pieces. Dragic can make his own shot and help others do the same. I really like watching him and hopefully the Rockets can build around him. In hindsight, he would have done very well with the Kings. (Dragic was picked #45 by San Antonio traded to Phoenix)

13. Nicolas Batum – Portland Trail Blazers traded to Indiana - Batum is another "we are still waiting on you" type of player. He hasn't had the type of playing time needed to showcase his skills, but you know that they're there. You'll still need to wait and see what he turns into, but I'm optimistic.(Batum was picked #25 by Houston traded to Portland)

14. Brandon Rush – Golden State Warriors - This is quite convenient. If he was picked by the Warriors, he would have struggled in Indiana. He seems to fit the system in Oakland and I like his current role. He's a guy that can come off the bench, shoot some 3's, and play a little defense. He could be a fill-in starter, but I like what he does off of the bench. (Rush was picked #13 by Portland traded to Indiana)

Next Three Picks - D.J. Augustin, Jason Thompson, George Hill

Here's the Re-Do posts for the 1999 NBA Draft, 2005 NBA Draft, 2006 NBA Draft, & 2007 NBA Draft.


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McGrady Would Be Nice Fit For Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are rumored to be interested in signing Tracy McGrady. The 31-year old has been on the shelf with injuries over the last few seasons, but has shown the ability to score points in a hurry in the past. Would he accept a bench role for a chance to make it out of the first-round of the playoffs? Would he accept a a one-year, incentive based, low salary deal? Those questions are yet to be answered, but I believe he would be a nice fit on the young Bulls team.

The Bulls have been very active this off-season and they are making a push to be contenders this season. They have had the moniker of "team on the rise" over the last three seasons, but with the addition of Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, and Ronnie Brewer, they are becoming a very deep team. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah had career years last season and they are yet to hit their prime. The Bulls know that the window for this team is a few seasons, but that could change with key injuries.

McGrady, who is still younger than his body seems to be, could mentor some of the players on the team and help them mature. He has been a leader on some very good teams, but has always fell short of making it out of the first-round. The only season in which his team made is past the first-round, was when he was injured and couldn't play. The risk of signing McGrady would be his knee. He had microfracture surgery and it usually takes two years for a player to regain his prior form or it never comes back at all. Amar'e Stoudamire had the surgery two seasons ago and he came out in 2009-10 and had a very productive year. He is a success story, but with that story come many others that aren't as positive. Chris Webber had the surgery and even though he was solid when coming back, he was never the same. Age could be to blame in Webber's case, but having the microfracture surgery couldn't have helped.

Signing a player who has a history of injuries is very risky. It usually doesn't work out and with the guaranteed contracts in the NBA, it's a chance that many GMs don't want to take. The one example of an injury-plagued player bouncing back later in his career is Grant Hill. He basically had his ankle completely reconstructed and had various other injuries when he was with the Orlando Magic. He signed a very cheap deal to resurrect his career with the Phoenix Suns and he has had a second-life with the team. I hope McGrady has the same luck, because he was such a phenomenal scorer during his prime, it would be a shame that an injury could shorten his career.

2009-10 NBA Preview: Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls had one of the best playoff series ever against the Boston Celtics last year. Unfortunately for fans, it was in the first round, but the level of play in that series was only equaled by the NBA Finals. Derrick Rose had a great rookie season and a late-season trade with the Kings was the best trade deadline transaction last year. Will the Bulls miss Ben Gordon? Can Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah finally develop? Here is our 2009-10 NBA Preview for the Chicago Bulls.

Additions/Subtractions - I'm not going to say that the Chicago Bulls will not miss Ben Gordon, but he wasn't a starter on Chicago. He may have played starter minutes as the sixth-man, but he was very inconsistent. When they made the trade with the Kings last year to acquire John Salmons, he was their insurance policy if Gordon left in the off-season. This team shouldn't look that different from the team that lost against the Celtics in the first-round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Jannero Pargo is with the team again after being with the Hornets the last two seasons, they signed the often banged-up Jerome James, and they have two very good draft picks. James Johnson will be a work in progress with a very high upside and Taj Gibson could be more NBA-ready. They expect big things from these guys and they should be starters in a couple years.

2009-10 Expectations - NBA teams aren't supposed to have playoff seasons with a new coach and rookie point guard, but Chicago did that. They set the bar high for this season with the great playoff series against the Celtics last year and the emergence of Derrick Rose as a NBA superstar. The expectations for this team is very high and anything less than a playoff appearance would be disappointing. They have to get to the 2nd round for this team to feel good about the season. Derrick Rose had an injury and will start the season a little banged up, but the Bulls will be a very fun team to watch. They have players that can fun the fast break and with Brad Miller, a true low-post center. Chicago wants Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas to take it to the next level and live up to their high draft pick status. Thomas was rough when the Bulls drafted him and has had moments of looking like a future star, but he isn't consistent. Noah has developed into a good rebounder, but his offensive game hasn't improved very much.

2009-10 Prediction - This team is full of winnners at the collegiate level. Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, and Tyrus Thomas all were on winners in college and sometimes that's all a team needs, players who know how to win. I believe Chicago has the ability to win close games. Derrick Rose and John Salmons will be All-Stars this season. Chicago could use some more depth at small forward, if can get a deal for a nice back-up SF near the trade deadline, they should jump at that. The Bulls will start off slow, but as they usually go, turn it up in the 2nd-half of the season and get into the playoffs. I don't see a huge jump in their win total, but they should end up as the #5 or #6 seed and hopefully avoid the Boston Celtics in the first-round of the playoffs.

2009-10 Win Total - 46-36

Are The Chicago Bulls Better in 2009-10?

The Bulls lost Ben Gordon this off-season via free agency to the Pistons, but the nucleus is there for the team to do well going forward. They traded for John Salmons and Brad Miller at the trading deadline last year, which turned out to be a great move. What Derrick Rose did with this team as a rookie was great and point guards tend to make jump in year two, which could be scary for the other teams in the Eastern Conference. Can the Bulls be better in 2009-10, even though they lost Ben Gordon?

With a rookie head coach, Vinny Del Negro, and a rookie point guard, Rose, the Bulls made the playoffs last year. They had a much better 2nd-half of the season, thanks to the Salmons/Miller trade. Del Negro did some good things, but still has a lot to do to make the next leap and get this team a higher seed and make it to later rounds of the playoffs. The Bulls/Celtics playoff series last year was one of the best in the history of the NBA, unfortunately it was a first-round match-up. Both of the teams deserved to move on in that series, it was amazing. Ben Gordon was a big part of that series, they will miss him, but with Salmons having an off-season to get familiar with the team, he could turn into something more special.

The back-court on the Bulls is the biggest asset to the team. Rose and Salmons will be great and Kirk Hinrich will be backing up Rose and play some two-guard as a 6th man. They could benefit from adding some depth at SG/SF, since the only Jannero Pargo is listed as the back-up an either of those positions. Depth will be an issue and if an injury occurs at either SG/SF, they could be in trouble.

The front-court needed a veteran and by adding Brad Miller, it happened. He can mentor Aaron Gray, Joakim Noah, and Tyrus Thomas and help them develop into great players. Noah and Thomas will be battling for playing time, but Thomas was trade bait this off-season, but nothing happened. I wouldn't be surprised if he is moved for back-court depth at some point this season. James Johnson and Taj Gibson were drafted and just waiting for an opportunity at PF, which Gibson could see time in the D-League to save a roster spot.

Do I think that the Bulls will be a better team without Ben Gordon? Yes I do, let me explain why. Gordon has never really developed into a consistent starter in the NBA. He could come off the bench and put in 20 points in the 4th quarter, but in many of those games, they were already behind and he didn't help. Don't get me wrong, Gordon is a good player, but John Salmons is the starting SG that this team needed. I think Derrick Rose will get the best out of the players on this team and with a few signings next off-season, they could be one of top teams in the league. The team could be a year or two away, but with the decline of the Celtics on the horizon during that time span and the possibility of Lebron James leaving Cleveland, there will be a spot in the Eastern Conference there for them.

My prediction for the Bulls is for them to end up as a 4th seed in the Eastern Conference. Their overall record will be around 53 win team and do well in the playoffs next season. I see great things for them this year and their future is even brighter. If they can build from the solid performance last season, 53 wins is very attainable. Derrick Rose could be an MVP candidate if they surpass 53 wins and he could turn into what Chris Paul has been the last two seasons. Chicago will be better than last year and the games against Detroit will be very fun to watch.