Situational Analysis: Dylan Harper
“Situational Analysis” is a series of articles that seeks to examine the circumstances that most often influence an NBA prospect’s success. Each player will be scored on a scale from 1-10 in four different categories: NBA-specific skill(s), fatal flaw(s), collegiate/overseas/pre-NBA environment, and ideal NBA ecosystem. is a 19-year-old guard from New Jersey who averaged 19.4…
Elevator Doors: The NBA Finals
The NBA Finals: It’s why we do all of this. Zach Lowe makes this point repeatedly in his podcast, and it’s a point I wish more people made as frequently as he does. All the trade rumors, the mock drafts, the free agency intrigue, the coaching carousel – it all churns along for the sole purpose…
Situational Analysis: VJ Edgecombe
“Situational Analysis” is a series of articles that seeks to examine the circumstances that most often influence an NBA prospect’s success. Each player will be scored on a scale from 1-10 in four different categories: NBA-specific skill(s), fatal flaw(s), collegiate/overseas/pre-NBA environment, and ideal NBA ecosystem. is a 19-year-old (20 on July 30) power guard from…
Elevator Doors: Spite
The Indiana Pacers find themselves on the doorstep of the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years. On Dec. 8, the Pacers were 10-15 and regularly allowing more than 120 points per game to teams like Toronto, Miami, and Memphis. How did we get here? I would pinpoint April 22, 2025 – the…
Elevator Doors: Under The Microscope
This has been an incredible NBA postseason. Any chatter suggesting otherwise misses the mark entirely. I seem to see a great deal of discourse about this being an underwhelming or disappointing playoffs. No. Wrong. Incorrect. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, except for this one. We have several fresh, young, energetic, potential face-of-the-league stars emerging.…
Situational Analysis: Cooper Flagg
“Situational Analysis” is a series of articles that seeks to examine the circumstances that most often influence an NBA prospect’s success. Each player will be scored on a scale from 1-10 in four different categories: NBA-specific skill(s), fatal flaw(s), collegiate/overseas/pre-NBA environment, and ideal NBA ecosystem. is an 18-year-old (!!!) wing from Newport, Maine, who averaged…
Elevator Doors: It’s Still ‘Fire Nico!’
Let’s make this clear at the top of this column: I’m thrilled for Dallas Mavericks fans. Ecstatic, even. No fanbase deserves to be treated how they have been treated the last few months. Flagrant ineptitude mixed with unbearable hubris is a toxic combination, and Dallas fans have had a front-row seat witnessing this combination detonate…
Elevator Doors: Coaching with Humility
There are dozens – perhaps hundreds, maybe thousands – of reasons why Gregg Popovich is the best professional basketball coach. But there is one I keep circling back to. But before we get rolling on this, let’s set the terms of what I mean by “best professional basketball coach.” If you want to throw out…
Elevator Doors: Checks and Balances
Have you been enjoying the NBA playoffs so far? Yes! Of course you have! It’s the best time for the best league for the best sport. Real stakes, real competition, real intensity – what could be better? With each passing year, the chasm between the postseason and the regular season grows. We have now gotten…
Elevator Doors: Hard shots
I can’t imagine how good Kawhi Leonard must feel right now. Mostly because I can’t imagine the depths of the physical pain he has had to endure to get to this point. At the time of this writing, the Los Angeles Clippers are up 2-1 on the Denver Nuggets and look poised to advance to…
Elevator Doors: Space vs Showmanship vs Sacrifice
We have reached the end of the NBA regular season. With all 82 games in the books and the glorious playoffs in front of us, it is now time to argue about individual recognition. Awards season in the NBA is much like what we see in Hollywood – months of campaigning, jockeying, prognosticating, and agenda-setting…
Elevator Doors: Agony
Basketball will break your heart. It’s Saturday, April 5. Duke is up double digits on Houston. It’s feeling inevitable. Duke is the most talented team with the most talented single player in all of college basketball. is doing whatever he wants. Aran Smith, the proprietor of this fine website, is texting with me, asking how…
Elevator Doors: Welcome to!
Sometimes, two opposing ideas can be equally true. Idea No. 1: The NBA has serious structural issues that require immediate attention. The relentless grind of the 82-game regular season, coupled with the incessant tanking scourge that will never stop as long as the draft lottery remains in place, create an untenable situation. When several teams…
Elevator Doors: March Blandness
March is simultaneously the best and worst month for basketball fans. The best: The NCAA Tournament continues to deliver the goods. While we haven’t had a ton of upsets/Cinderella runs – I have my transfer portal-related theories as to why that is – we have had a lot of hard-fought basketball, tourney heroes (, Jr.,…
Elevator Doors: March Madness for Procrastinators
March Madness is upon us. For most regular readers of NBADraft.net, you’re all set. You’re plugged in. You have well-informed opinions, multiple brackets, a list of draft sleepers a mile long, and a working knowledge of Lipscomb’s defensive strategies. However, you are the top 0.1%. Everyone else has no idea what’s going on. Many sports…
Elevator Doors: The MVP Bowl
What can two games in the middle of March tell you about how NBA MVP voters are going to approach (what is supposed to be) an 82-game award? These two games in question told us a little bit of nothing, and a little bit of everything. On Sunday and Monday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Oklahoma City Thunder…
Elevator Doors: From bad to worse
You know those semi-inspirational quotes you see floating around social media occasionally? They sort of make sense, but they are mostly nonsense. They are always attributed to a person who definitely didn’t say it. They reach for profundity, but they mostly end up ringing a little hollow. I’m thinking of that one that goes “luck…
Elevator Doors: Everything is Day to Day
When it comes to the injury report – and to life in general – we are all day-to-day. Last week, the San Antonio Spurs announced that Victor Wembanyama would miss the rest of the 2025 season due to “deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder” – a blood clot, in layman’s terms. This is nothing…