The Madness!!!

This year the tournament will rock! There is no clear choice for one singular dominate team. There are several potential candidates and intriguing potential match ups. The other really good thing about the tournament, the rest of the basketball world (casual fans) will get an early glimpse at all of the top rated college players. NBA Draft guys like myself love this time of year because it separates the men from the boys. Let us not kid ourselves in thinking only one man cannot win the tournament, Kemba Walker anyone? It's more than possible for a guy to go from fringe 1st rounder, to definite lottery pick.

The landscape is an interesting one that clearly benefits some teams (Michigan State/Arizona) and will be a reality check for others (Wichita St). While I admire Wichita St and the ride they have been on the last two seasons, I fully expect them to fall to either Kentucky or Louisville. I love Russ Smith and Louisville, but this is not the same team they were a year ago. Florida is primed and ready to run through all opposing teams. Several programs such as Michigan, Villanova, Creighton and Kansas will be immensely entertaining.

I am looking forward to watching Jabari Parker put pressure on opposing teams, which will allow Rodney Hood to explode offensively. I want to see Andrew Wiggins realize his potential as the player with the most upside in the nation and lead his team to the promised land with or without Joel Embiid. Every fan on the planet wants to see Doug McDermott deliver at least one 40 point game en route to a huge pay day this summer. I could keep going, but I would rather drop some jewels and deliver to you my Final Four.

FINAL FOUR:

(1) Florida: They have the leadership, the momentum and pedigree to make it to Dallas.

(4) Michigan State: Mr. Izzo prides himself on taking his Seniors to the Final Four, this year will be no different.
(3) Duke: Jabari Parker is a winner, plain and simple. The only way this fails is if he gets hurt or his backcourt forgets he exists (this happens more often than it should).
(1) Arizona: They have depth, shooting, star power and big game potential.

POTENTIAL PARTY CRASHERS:

Louisville: Repeats are insanely rare in college basketball, but Russ Smith and co have recently caught fire.

UCLA: They upset Arizona in the Pac-12 tourney and they have a massive mismatch at point guard (6-9 Kyle Anderson 15 ppg, 8 rebounds, 6 assists).






Syracuse: They have been stuck in the mud since a horrible loss against Boston College, but they have veterans and a Hall of Fame coach. Don't sleep.








Kansas: Young Mr. Wiggins is in the middle of realizing his potential and if you don't have more than a few days to plan for him….you are in trouble.

Iowa St: This team is sizzling and they have a swagger about them that says overlook me if you want…











Michigan: They get buckets, barely turn the ball over and have experience. Oh and a guy named Nik Stauskas.



Kentucky: It took them a while, but they finally figured out playing like a team might get them somewhere. It won't be easy, but this is the bed they made for themselves.

San Diego St: I fee like this team has become the West Coast version of Wisconsin, they always find a
way to be in the picture.




TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Russ Smith
Kyle Anderson
Doug McDermott
Jabari Parker
Julius Randle
Gary Harris
Nik Stauskas
Aaron Gordon
Cleanthony Early
Andrew Wiggins
*Joel Embiid (Currently Hurt, but expected to play)
Marcus Smart
Tyler Ennis
Marcus Paige

MOST FUN FIRST ROUND MATCH UPS:

UCLA/Tulsa
VCU/SF Austin
Ohio St/Dayton
BYU/Oregon
Gonzaga/Oklahoma St
Texas/Arizona St
Kentucky/Kansas St
UCONN/St Joes
Harvard/Cincy

MOST FUN *POTENTIAL* MATCH UPS:

Michigan/Duke 2
Wichita St/Kentucky
UCLA/Florida
Kansas/Ohio St
Virginia/Michigan St
Creighton/Baylor


The Draft Fanatic

Carmelo's Lot

Carmelo Anthony will eventually retire as one of the greatest pure scorers in NBA history. There its been said. Carmelo is currently scoring 25 points per game for his career and (barring injury) has another 5 years as a peak scorer. Now that I have that covered I can dive in to what this is really about, the curse of the PURE SCORER. Through out NBA history the league has had several guys who could out right put the ball in the hole. Every generation has a player or players that it seems no matter what, could deliver 30 or more on any given night. The common theme usually shared by many when these players are dazzling crowds and picking apart opposing defense's is that they are a one trick pony. They can only get you points, but they can't deliver a title. In most cases this is actually and sadly true. Many players, not just Carmelo have been saddled with the expectation and reputation of being a great scorer means you won't be able to lead your team to a title. I say while many have failed, many more have also succeeded.

23 years ago this year (Ironic huh) Michael Jordan (Career scoring average 30.1 ppg, Career High 69 points, Career Points 32, 292) was in the process of breaking that barrier down. From the time he entered the league it was thought that he would never be able to lead a team to the Finals and win, because he was only a scoring/dunking machine. This is hilarious since prior to winning a title Jordan also won a Defensive Player of the Year Award and managed to essentially will his team time and time again to the playoffs. Of course once Jordan was paired with Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson the narrative changed. Not only did Jordan win, but he didn't stop scoring either. Eventually leaving the game and returning to deliver 3 more titles, while still scoring at a high rate. Is Jordan alone in this feat? No, there are a few others; including a predecessor. 

Julius Erving (Career scoring average 24.2 ppg, Career High 65 points (ABA), Career Points 30, 026), predecessor to Jordan as the league poster child for excitement and aerial assault was able to win a NBA title, while maintaining his points production as well. The Dr. had already won as an ABA player, but many felt that he wouldn't be able to duplicate the act of both scoring points and winning in the NBA. They were right for a time, but then Moses came. Once Moses Malone arrived in Philly, it was only a matter of time before the Dr. would deliver. That he did, in 1983. So now we have a pair of players, but has anyone done it more recently? Kobe and LeBron have. 

Kobe Bryant (Career scoring average 25.5 ppg, Career High 81 points, Career Points 31, 700) had the benefit of winning early with Shaq as his teammate, but also was left with a world of expectations when the big fella was traded. Many wondered whether or not Kobe, who had earned a reputation as selfish would be able to win without Shaq. For a time they seemed right, but once Pau Gasol arrived his life was made just a little easier. Kobe was able to lead the Lakers to 2 consecutive titles, while remaining amongst the league leaders in scoring. 

While LeBron (Career scoring average 27.5 ppg, Career High 56 points, Career Points 22, 531) statistically and physically is more Magic then Jordan or Doc, he had a similar burden placed on his shoulders after entering the league. He was dubbed the "Chosen One" and seemed well on his way to delivering a title in less then 5 years. He like the others before him, could manage the heavy scoring burden, but he fell short time and time again. Then he departed for Miami, joining forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to form a superstar trifecta. His scoring took a slight dip, but nothing major and he was able to deliver a pair of titles while currently working on a third. 

So this brings us back to Carmelo Anthony. As you can see there is a precedence for high scoring Small Forwards/Shooting Guards to lead there teams to victory. There is also the common theme of them not doing it alone. They were all paired with a great player, making there journey much easier. If Carmelo is unable to deliver a title to the Knicks, then it wouldn't be the worst idea to leave and find a place where it can happen. Either that or the Knicks need to do some serious soul searching and figure out how to bring in more complimentary talent. Carmelo will eventually grow weary of the Manhattan lights if they don't bring him glory. Night in and night out, you see him laboring through games doing all he can to score. That is his primary job, get the ball in the hole. He is in need of 4 players that can compliment him as well as one that will relieve some of that burden, like Pau or Scottie. Hopefully he finds that, so he is able to deliver a championship and escape the scrutiny. 

Now before I end this, I want to leave you with a list of other high scoring players that have failed to deliver, but are considered great players. I think its important to realize that not everyone can win, but that doesnt take away from their greatness. There is still more then enough time for Carmelo, but for these gentlemen time has moved on. 

1. Pete Maravich: 15,948 career points (24.2 ppg career average): Career High 68 points.

2. David Thompson: 13,422 career points (22.7 ppg career average): Career High 73 points.

3. Benard King: 19, 655 career points (22.5 ppg career average): Career High 60 points.

4. George Gervin: 26, 595 career points (25.1 ppg career average): Career High 63 points.

5. Dominique Wilkins: 26, 668 career points (24.8 career average): Career High 57 points.

6. Reggie Miller: 25, 279 career points (18.2 career average): Career High 57 points.

7. Charles Barkley: 23, 757 career points (22.1 career average): Career High 56 points.

8. Allen Iverson: 24, 368 career points (26.7 career average): Career High 60 points.

9. Tracy McGrady: 18, 381 career points (19.6 career average): Career High 62 points.

10. Vince Carter: 22, 938 career points (20.4 career average): Career High 51 points. 

The Draft Fanatic