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lalaila 11 years, 9 months ago.
lakeshow22
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drice4life1753The NBA’s annual All-Star Game often serves as a barometer for which players’ careers are on the rise and which ones are on the decline. Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan are conspicuously absent from this year’s rosters, and perhaps names such as Paul Pierce, Steve Nash, Tony Parkerand Joe Johnson might soon follow suit.
As these veteran stars slowly move out of the picture, it’s only natural to start looking for the up-and-comers who will soon take their place. Friday night’s NBA Rising Stars Challenge offered a peek at some young players who might fill those sizable shoes and showcase their talents in the 2013 All-Star Game.
Here’s a scouting breakdown of five of the most likely candidates, what skills they possess now and what they need to improve to be part of next year’s midseason gala.
1. DeMarcus Cousins, C, Sacramento Kings
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Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty ImagesCousins is a monster in the low post and offensive glass.Scouting report: Cousins currently is averaging 16.4 ppg and 11.3 rpg. A rookie first-teamer last season, Cousins has the size and skill to be an All-Star. This is best seen in the low post. He commands deep position in the paint and can score over most NBA bigs. Cousins is an excellent passer for a big man, averaging 2.1 apg in his career.
He also is a monster on the offensive glass, averaging 4.5 offensive boards per game. Defensively he works hard and contests opponents’ shots, but he is not an elite shot-blocker despite his height.
What he must improve: Cousins’ emotional issues have followed him from high school to the NBA. He must better develop his relationships with both teammates and coaches. Certainly no one questions his physical assets, but his lack of discipline is the main thing holding him back.
On defense, Cousins often is late and out of position then tries to block shots, leading to a 4.1 fouls per game average. This limits his time on the court (28.8 mpg/career) and hurts his team.
Offensively, he struggles with double-teams in the post, but he has cut down on turnovers. He often settles for fadeaways instead of going strong to the basket, so his field goal percentage suffers, as he is shooting just .436 (6.1 fgm-14.1 fga) this season.
2. Greg Monroe, PF, Detroit Pistons
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Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty ImagesThe left-handed Monroe is developing into one of the most athletic big men in the NBA.Scouting report: Monroe possesses a very unique skill set for a big man. He is a left-handed face-up/high-post player with the ability to put the ball on the floor and beat defenders off the dribble. This year he’s averaging 16.7 ppg and 9.8 rebounds. One of the most efficient big men in the NBA, Monroe is an excellent decision-maker and possesses tremendous court vision and passing skills. He also is an excellent rebounder with a real nose for the ball, rebounding out of his area as well as on the offensive glass.
Defensively, Monroe has quick feet but also quick hands, which allows the unique ability to slap down and strip opponents, averaging 1.2 spg over his career.
What he must improve: One of the biggest knocks on Monroe since college is he is unselfish to a fault. Simply, he needs to be more assertive and learn how to dominate offensively. Monroe worked hard in the offseason to develop more lower-body strength, which is essential to his growth as a player because it will allow him to fight for position in the low post. His jump shot and face-up game still need polish. He is a consistent pick-and-pop guy but needs to improve his drive game versus high-level defenders.
3. John Wall, PG, Washington Wizards
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Fernando Medina/Getty ImagesWall has incredible court vision and quickness. Now all he needs is a shot.Scouting report: Wall plays on one of the most dysfunctional teams in the NBA, and it has hurt his growth as a player. The No. 1 pick of the 2010 draft, Wall is averaging 16.5 ppg and dishing out 7.6 apg. He is lightning-quick and is terrific in the open court. An excellent defender, Wall also averages 5.0 rpg. He is one of the top playmakers in the NBA, possessing tremendous passing skills, and is a terrific finisher.
However, he also averaged 3.8 turnovers as a rookie and has gotten worse in his sophomore campaign, committing 4.2 per game. Wall also is a mediocre shooter. And his 3-point shooting statistics are so abysmal this season, he now attempts very few, averaging less than one per game and shooting a meager 11 percent from behind the line. His lack of a consistent perimeter shot haunts him as opponents go under all pick-and-rolls and routinely come off of him to double the post.
What he must improve: As previously stated, Wall absolutely must improve his jump shot. The way to do that is completely tearing down his shooting mechanics and start over. If he can develop a consistent 17-to-21-footer, it will open up other parts of his game. Second, he must be more disciplined running the team. Wall is the face of the franchise, and for him to become a leader he must take more responsibility at the point. Third, the Wizards need to surround Wall with better talent or trade him. Frankly, Wall might never fulfill his potential in Washington. Very rarely does a player on a team as dysfunctional as the Wizards become an All-Star.
4. Kyrie Irving PG, Cleveland Cavaliers
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Kent Smith/Getty ImagesIrving could be an All-Star for years to come.Scouting report: In one half of one season, Irving has proven to owner Dan Gilbert and Cleveland fans they hit the jackpot with the No. 1 pick of 2011 draft. Irving is athletic and quick and owns tremendous body control when he attacks the rim. He is an excellent ball handler who has great court vision and passing skills.
Irving is more of a score-first point guard, averaging 18.1 ppg and 5.1 apg while also grabbing 3.4 rpg. He has shot the deep ball at a high percentage but has been smart not to fall in love with the 3. Rather, he’s chosen to be surgical about his shot selection, and the result is a 42 percent clip from behind the line. This has allowed him to be deadly in pick-and-rolls and opened up his drive game. Irving has shown quickly he can be a dominant point guard and already plays like a crafty veteran.
What he must improve: Irving is a solid defender but must adjust to his opponents’ speed quicker and learn how to cut off angles to the paint. Further, he must work at becoming more physical getting past picks. He is quiet and reserved, but if Irving can become a leader for this team he’ll be the Cavs’ representative at the All-Star Game for years. The quicker the Cavs improve as a team, the more credit he will receive.
5. Ricky Rubio, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves
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David Sherman/Getty ImagesA pro since he was 15, Rubio is vastly more experienced than his age impliesScouting report: Rubio has made the Minnesota Timberwolves relevant again. It took 10 games for coach Rick Adelman to make him a starter, but in 34 games Rubio has averaged 11.3 ppg, 8.4 apg and 4.2 rpg and has added 2.3 spg. He has tremendous playmaking skills, incredible court vision and wows the crowd with his no-look passes. His jump shot is much improved, and although he is shooting poorly overall (.375) he is hitting 3s at a 35 percent clip.
On defense, Rubio is crafty and instinctive, allowing him to jump passing lanes and use his long arms to grab steals. However, what has impressed his coaches and fans is his one-on-one defense. Matched up against some of the quickest guards in the NBA, Rubio has more than held his own.
What he must improve: Rubio has All-Star written all over him. He has been playing professionally since he was 15 years old, and his Euro League experience has been an immense help as he makes the adjustment to the NBA. However, Rubio has room to improve defensively and can start by better utilizing his 6-foot-9 wingspan to keep opposing point guards out of the paint. Offensively, Rubio is attempting 9.7 field goals per game but making just 3.6. He must find ways to get higher quality shots and his efficiency will improve. To do that he can be better at getting into the lane, finishing better at the rim and/or using the pull-up jump shot or floater in the lane.
John Carroll is an analyst for ESPN Insider’s Scouts Inc. He served as head coach of the Boston
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