Heading to the Big Easy

[Myles Nelson]

We're at the halfway point! Hornets doing better than expected at 21-20, but still not a very good basketball team. We beat the Lakers, which was my favorite win so far. Being able to beat a powerhouse like the Lakers is certainly a good sign and something to keep fans in the seats.

Now for the standings.

Atlantic
Philadelphia 76ers (28-16)
Boston Celtics (29-17)
New York Knicks (27-19)
Brooklyn Nets (23-22)
Toronto Raptors (11-32)

Central
Indiana Pacers (27-15)
Chicago Bulls (22-26)
Milwaukee Bucks (20-24)
Detroit Pistons (15-28)
Cleveland Cavaliers (14-31)

Southeast
Miami Heat (31-12)
Atlanta Hawks (20-24)
Washington Wizards (20-24)
Charlotte Bobcats (13-31)
Orlando Magic (11-32)

Southwest
San Antonio Spurs (32-11)
New Orleans Hornets (21-20)
Memphis Grizzlies (21-22)
Dallas Mavericks (20-24)
Houston Rockets (16-30)

Northwest
Oklahoma City Thunder (29-14)
Utah Jazz (28-16)
Minnesota Timberwolves (27-18)
Portland Trail Blazers (27-18)
Denver Nuggets (18-26)

Pacific
Los Angeles Clippers (28-17)
Los Angeles Lakers (26-18)
Golden State Warriors (25-18)
Sacramento Kings (21-22)
Phoenix Suns (21-22)

We are currently 9th in the West, with Memphis and Sacramento one game behind us. Incredible.

Rather than taking a look at our own team (which I'll do at the all-star break), we'll take a look at the surprising teams in the league.

Brooklyn Nets (23-22)
Ersan Ilyasova (19.5 ppg, 9.7 rpg), Anthony Morrow (16 ppg) and Marshon Brooks (13.2 ppg) are all big reasons why this team is doing so well, not to take anything away from star Deron Williams (18.9 ppg, 10.6 apg) and leader Gerald Wallace (14.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg) of course.

Chicago Bulls (22-26)
Problems stem from Luol Deng (39.8% fg) and Joakim Noah (43.4%), as well as the bench, led by Jeff Green (41.9%) and Lester Hudson (38.4%). They just cannot score the ball very well this year.

Atlanta Hawks (20-24)
Josh Smith has only played in 19 games, and is only shooting 41.7% in those games. Teague and Williams are both struggling as well, though Horford and Johnson are doing their job.

Orlando Magic (11-32)
Jason Richardson is chucking away but can't hit anything (12 FGA and 36% fg), and no one outside of Dwight Howard can score the ball.

Utah Jazz (28-16)
I can eat my shorts here, since I was a hater at the beginning of the season. But Al Jefferson (16.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg) and Kevin Garnett (13.8 ppg, 9.7 rpg) anchor this team inside and Jeremy Lin (16.4 ppg, 7.1 apg) and Paul Millsap (15.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg) are doing damage as well.

Golden State Warriors (25-18)
The core from last year of David Lee (19.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg), Stephen Curry (18.1 ppg, 7.1 apg) and Andrew Bogut (11.4 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.7 bpg) are putting in work, and wingmates Klay Thompson (16 ppg) and Harrison Barnes (11.9 ppg) are just lethal from outside (46.3% from 3 for Klay Thompson, 45.3% from the floor for Barnes).

Denver Nuggets (18-26)
Al Harrington at center is the main issue, as he's only hitting on 41.1% from the floor and only pulling down 6.6 rebounds. Danilo Gallinari (37.7%) and Wilson Chandler (33.3%) are also struggling majorly from the floor, making it hard for the Nuggets to get any kind of consistent scoring.

[Myles Nelson]

We went on a strong streak towards the All-Star Break, coming into the break with a 28-22 record, still in 9th place in the West though. If we make the playoffs, it certainly would be a shock for all of us.

Talk about a tale of two teams though. 23-4 at home, 5-18 on the road. Perhaps its our youth and inexperience that causes us to be so flip-floppy.

Gordon: 25.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.6 spg, 4 topg, 44.3% fg, 60.1% STOP

His offense and shooting percentages went down a little bit, perhaps its time he stops shooting close to 7 threes per game.

Davis: 14.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.5 spg, 3.7 bpg, 51.8% fg, 0.6 PA/SF

He just keeps getting better and better as all of his averages have gone up. Scoring, rebounding, shooting percentage, all of it.

Vasquez: 11.4 ppg, 6.2 apg, 0.9 spg, 41.9% fg, 50.1% STOP

His shooting percentage is starting to drop, which has me a little worried but I'm not too concerned, he's filling in nicely at point.

Thompson: 11.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 0.8 bpg, 48.1% fg, 0.9 PA/SF

Certainly glad I kept him around. He's become a very steady player.

Cunningham: 5.4 ppg, 49.6% fg, 86.2% STOP

His minutes dropped due to Henry getting some more minutes, though I'd like to see Cunningham out there more than Aminu perhaps.

Rivers: 7.5 ppg, 4.1 apg, 40.7% fg, 43.7% STOP

His shooting is getting a little better, and his handles and passing are up to their usual par.

Morris: 7.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 34.3% fg, 0.8 PA/SF

And his shooting percentage only gets worse. Dang, he needs some work.

Aminu: 7.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 39.9% fg, 94.1% STOP

He picked his shooting percentage up 3%, which is certainly a good sign.

Henry: 6.1 ppg, 44.6% fg, 80.6% STOP


His shooting is still as good as it was before, and his minutes are certainly warranted.

Amundson: 3.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 44.6% fg, 0.9 PA/SF

No complaints here, still doing his job.

[Myles Nelson]

[SIZE="4"]

All Star Break 2013

[/SIZE]
Sprite Slam Dunk Contest: Derrick Brown beat out Perry Jones for the Sprite Slam Dunk Title. Jan Vesley and Terrence Ross bowed out in the first round.

Taco Bell 3-Point Shootout: Klay Thompson beat out teammate Brandon Rush and Bobcat Danny Green in three point shootout. Ramon Sessions, Steph Curry and Steve Novak were the other competitors, giving the Warriors three shooters in the 3 point shootout contest.

Rookie-Sophomore Rising Stars Game: Anthony Davis showed why he's on track to be rookie of the year with a big game, 24 points and 13 rebounds. Rivers also showed everyone he can still ball by dropping 20 points on the Sophomores. Other notable performers were Bismack Biyombo with 15 rebounds and 8 blocks, and Klay Thompson/Chandler Parsons combining for 48 points on 20/37 shooting.

All-Star Game: The West blew out the East, 148-115, behind the balanced play of the West stars. Westbrook was named MVP with 21 points and 10 assists, and 7 other players scored in double digits including teammate Kevin Durant with 22. For the East, LeBron was the big performer with 30 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

[Myles Nelson]

[SIZE="4"]Trades of the Year[/SIZE]

Knicks Trade
2013 1st round pick

Rockets Trade
Fab Melo

Analysis: The Rockets were without a pick after sending it to us for Jason Smith, and they had a frontcourt logjam. Melo wasn't playing for the Rockets and the Knicks wanted a guy who could be the next Tyson Chandler. Worked out great for both teams.

Celtics Trade
JaJuan Johnson

Bucks Trade
Kwame Brown

Analysis: Celtics wanted more production out of their backup bigs, and the Bucks saved 5M per year (10M total) by dumping Brown for Johnson.

Clippers Trade
Mo Williams, 2013 2nd round pick

Raptors Trade
Jose Calderon

Analysis: Not entirely sure why this trade was made. Both PGs were stuck behind someone else: Lillard in Toronto and CP3 in LA. Both PGs are still stuck on the bench, both are expiring contracts. So I guess Toronto wins because they got a free 2nd round pick and saved 2M.

Timberwolves Trade
Luke Ridnour

Nuggets Trade
2013 2nd round pick

Analysis: The Wolves had Rubio and Barea already, making Ridnour overpaid and expendable. The Nuggets apparently weren't satisfied with Lawson/Miller, and traded for Ridnour. Ridnour doesn't really play all that much though. As in, has only appeared in 3 of the 25 or so games he's been with the Nuggets.

Magic Trade
Hedo Turkoglu

Bobcats Trade
Ben Gordon, 2013 2nd round pick

Analysis: This trade doesn't make much sense for either team. Turkoglu is a SF now on a team filled with SFs and short on SGs, and the Bobcats needed SGs. Orlando already has J-Rich at SG and has no plans to put BG over him. The Magic win, though, by picking up an early 2nd round pick.

Magic Trade
2013 2nd round pick

Bucks Trade
Mike Dunleavy

Analysis: I guess the Magic realized they needed a backup SF, and thus acquired the cheap, expiring gunner Dunleavy. With the Bobcats pick they nabbed, they didn't really need their own 2nd round pick.

Timberwolves Trade
2013 1st round pick

Bobcats Trade
Brandon Roy

Analysis: The Bobcats know its a lost season, and so they are selling off their pieces. The Wolves badly needed a SG of starting caliber, and got him in Roy, a vet who can still give flashes of his old self. Good trade all the way around.

Jazz Trade
Raja Bell, 2013 1nd round pick

Suns Trade
Jarrett Jack

Analysis: The Jazz acquired a solid 6th man type combo guard in Jack, a guy who's averaging 14 points and 6 assists per game in a starting role for the Suns and shooting 50%. Bell wasn't doing much for the Jazz and the Suns acquire a late 20s 1st round pick, good for their rebuilding effort.

[Myles Nelson]

[SIZE="4"]2012-2013 Rookie Report[/SIZE]

1. Anthony Davis - 14.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 3.7 bpg
2. Michael Kidd Gilchrist - 11.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.2 apg, 2.3 spg
3. Bradley Beal - 7.0 ppg
4. Thomas Robinson - 14.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg
5. Jared Sullinger - 7.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg
6. Andre Drummond - 9.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.8 bpg
7. Harrison Barnes - 12.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg
8. Damian Lillard - 11.6 ppg, 7.2 apg, 2.7 topg
9. John Henson - 9.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.1 bpg
10. Austin Rivers - 7.5 ppg, 4.1 apg
11. Dion Waiters - 9.4 ppg, 1.4 spg
12. Perry Jones III - 5.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg
13. Terrence Ross - 9.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg
14. Kendall Marshall - 3.3 ppg, 2.9 apg (sitting behind Jennings in MIL)

Jonas Valanciuans - 10.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.7 bpg

[The Masked Heel]

What happened to George Hill in free agency?

Kinda weird the Pacers would sign Nash when Collision and Hill were already there at the point.

[Myles Nelson]

They have Hill as well. Hill plays backup SG mostly.

[Myles Nelson]

With an avalanche of young talent, and not enough minutes to develop all of them (when Ayon comes back, Morris will see his minutes dip below 12 a game, and I'd rather have Cunningham/Henry on the court than Aminu), I'm set to try and trade Al-Farouq Aminu and Markieff Morris to teams needing young talent while I take some of their established players. I'm not looking for one year rentals, but rather guys who can help us this year, next year, possibly the year after that. So begins the search for some good talent.

Also, with 15M cap space I can take on some contracts. Pietrus needs to go as well.

Here's my target list. I'd like to run a 3 man rotation underneath for big men, so I'm looking for a guy who can play the 4/5 slot. I'm also looking for a new starting SF, someone who can consistently score and defend. If I get lucky, I'd like a true PG, but with Vasquez there currently and Rivers being groomed for that spot I don't think I really need to find one now.

Solid Big Man
Luis Scola
Marcin Gortat
Brandon Bass
Andersen Varejao

Small Forward
Shawn Marion
Richard Jefferson
John Salmons
Rudy Fernandez

Scola tops my big man list because he plays for Houston, a team who's pick we own. They may not be willing to deal simply because of that. If we can't get Scola, then Varejao or Gortat would be great guys to have. As far as SF goes, Marion is our main goal, as the Mavericks are really struggling. Jefferson and Salmons are calculated risks: they aren't playing much this year so I don't really know what I can get from them, but the past has proven that these guys can play.

[Myles Nelson]

[SIZE="4"]Deadline Deals[/SIZE]

The trade deadline was a really busy this year! Here's all the deals.

Celtics Trade
2013 1st Round Pick

Raptors Trade
Gary Neal

Analysis: The Celtics are sitting at third in the conference, and needed a combo guard 3 point threat to spread the defenses and give them other looks at the point. The Raptors are waving the white flag and trying to get as much young talent as possible.

Knicks Trade
Toney Douglas

Pistons Trade
Tayshaun Prince, 2013 2nd Round Pick

Analysis: The Knicks are in the playoff hunt, and getting a defensive specialist like Tayshaun Prince will definitely go a long way to aiding their highly offensive roster. Prince is also not a shabby scorer, so he adds to this roster. Douglas got no minutes in NYK, but slots in at backup PG. Most importantly, he's a lot younger and cheaper than Prince.

Pacers Trade
2013 1st Round Pick

Grizzlies Trade
Tony Allen

Analysis: The Pacers are 4th in the East, Grizzlies are third worst in the West. Tony Allen brings more defense and toughness to Indiana.

Heat Trade
Norris Cole

Hawks Trade
Grant Hill, 2013 2nd Round Pick

Analysis: If the Hawks were receiving the 2nd round pick, this trade would make more sense. Cole is entering a logjam at PG and while he is young he won't get many minutes. Hill will add some shooting and defense and versatility to this Heat team.

Spurs Trade
Manu Ginobili, Stephen Jackson

Hawks Trade
Joe Johnson

Analysis: Spurs needed more of a go-to scorer, someone they could really count on, and JJ is certainly that guy. Though Ginobili is a good talent, and Jackson is a volatile role player, neither one of them are the All-Star that is Joe Johnson. The Hawks rid themselves of his ridiculous contract.

Timberwolves Trade
JJ Barea, Darko Milicic

Rockets Trade
Kevin Martin, 2013 2nd Round Pick

Analysis: The Rockets are really giving up, cashing in all their assets for young players. Barea is the backup PG to Lowry, and Milicic is an expiring contract. The Timberwolves get a solid scorer to add to their postseason run, and the 2nd round pick is just gravy.

Trail Blazers Trade
2013 1st Round Pick

Bobcats Trade
Brandon Bass

Analysis: The Bobcats are nowhere near competing this year, while the Blazers are. They needed some big man depth, which Bass gives them, and the 1st round pick will be in the 20s.

Warriors Trade
Richard Jefferson, 2013 2nd Round Pick

Pistons Trade
Corey Maggette

Analysis: Warriors paid a 2nd round pick to shave a year off their books, as Maggette is an expiring while Jefferson has one more year on his deal.

Clippers Trade
2013 1st Round Pick

Pacers Trade
Rudy Fernandez

Analysis: With Tony Allen in town, Fernandez was redundant. Also, the Pacers needed a first round pick. The Clippers were hit hard by injuries this year, so this works out best for both teams.

Pacers Trade
Tyler Hansbrough

Grizzlies Trade
Carl Landry

Analysis: I don't know why they did these deals separately, but whatever. Both of these guys are underperforming big men on expiring deals, so perhaps they think a change of scenery for each player will rejuvenate their seasons.

Heat Trade
Maalik Wayns, Kelenna Azubuike, Steve Novak, Dexter Pittman

Suns Trade
Channing Frye, 2013 2nd Round Pick

Analysis: The Heat gave up a bunch of expiring scrubs to get Channing Frye and his 3 year deal. Frye gives the Heat another guy who can stretch the defense and give Wade, LBJ and Bosh room to operate down low. The Suns get rid of Frye's long contract.

Thunder Trade
2013 1st Round Pick

Grizzlies Trade
Damion James

Analysis: With Kevin Durant getting more injuries than ever this year, and no real SF backup in OKC, the Thunder needed to make a move. They gave up one of the last picks in the first round to get a solid athletic backup. Grizzlies got fleeced.

And now time for MY deals!

Hornets Trade
Markieff Morris, Mickael Pietrus

Rockets Trade
Luis Scola, 2015 2nd Round Pick

Analysis: We got the big man we wanted, Scola, and he's slotting in as versatile PF/C along with Thompson and Davis down low. The 2nd round pick was just gravy, and the Rockets wanted to get younger. If Morris is given time to play and develop, he could turn into a real player.

Hornets Trade
Al-Farouq Aminu, Derek Fisher, 2013 1st Round Pick (NO)

Mavericks Trade
Shawn Marion, 2013 1st Round Pick

Analysis: Aminu was starting to irritate me, and with us so close to the playoffs, I felt it was necessary for us to make a move to get in the playoffs. Marion brings a veteran presence, who can really defend and hit occasional shots. Also, with us aiming to get into the playoffs and with the Mavericks on their way down, swapping 1st round picks seemed like a good risk to take.

[Myles Nelson]

After our two trades, here's our new depth chart.

PG Grevis Vasquez
SG Eric Gordon
SF Shawn Marion
PF Anthony Davis
C Jason Thompson
6. Luis Scola
7. Gustavo Ayon
8. Jared Cunningham
9. Austin Rivers
10. Xavier Henry
11. Peja Stojakovic (recently signed FA)
12. Louis Amundson

We start off on a bit of a skid, losing 4 of our first 5 after the trade as Scola and Marion tried to figure out where they fit in (and Ayon as well, as he finally came back from his broken ankle) but they picked it up after that.

It's now the end of March, we're 40-31 (12-9 since the trade). Most importantly, we're the 8th seed in the West! We're in the playoffs!

We're 1.5 games back from the 6th spot, and 1.5 games up on the 9th spot. I'm loving this. I know being in the middle is not a good place to be, but I think it's just a step up the ladder to conference contender!