Essential The Official ESPN Insider Thread (ESPN+)

[Skooby]

9. Portland Trail Blazers (2012-13 finish: 11th)

The Blazers are right on Minnesota's heels after a solid offseason that saw GM Neil Olshey rebuild their bench on the cheap. Only second-year center Meyers Leonard figures to remain in the rotation from last season's historically bad second unit, while Robin Lopez slides in for J.J. Hickson to solidify the starting five.

If rookie C.J. McCollum contributes immediately and Thomas Robinson plays like he did in the Las Vegas Summer League -- where he was a terror on the glass -- Portland will return to the playoffs after a two-year absence.

10. Dallas Mavericks (2012-13 finish: 10th)

After two years of patience, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban opened his wallet this summer, paying Jose Calderon, Monta Ellis and Samuel Dalembert a combined $64.5 million. It's not clear that investment made Dallas a better team.

A Calderon-Ellis backcourt presents major defensive issues, and the Mavericks will continue to rely heavily on the aging Dirk Nowitzki (35). Dallas was a playoff-caliber team after Nowitzki got healthy last season, but can't again afford injury to its star.


11. New Orleans Pelicans (2012-13 finish: 14th)

The Pelicans have improved as much as anyone in the West by adding Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans to their backcourt. That still may not be enough for a playoff run in the Crescent City, given New Orleans finished 18 games behind the eighth seed last season.

Better health for Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon also could help close that gap, and if Davis is able to make a leap (and defend opposing centers) in his second season, the Pelicans will be in the mix for the eighth seed.


12. Los Angeles Lakers (2012-13 finish: 7th)

Consider this group the Interim Lakers, because only three players -- Nick Young (player option), Steve Nash and Robert Sacre -- are signed through 2014-15. Kobe Bryant is also part of the Lakers' future; the rest of this group is attempting to make a playoff run before hitting free agency next summer.

With Pau Gasol playing more at center now that Dwight Howard is in Houston, the fit should be better with Mike D'Antoni's system. Still, the Lakers' chances of the eighth seed hinge on Bryant returning on or ahead of schedule and showing few ill effects from his ruptured Achilles. That would mean defying the ugly history of Achilles injuries.


13. Utah Jazz (2012-13 finish: 9th)

By letting Randy Foye, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Mo Williams all walk in free agency, Utah effectively swapped its bench for its starters. That group, including talented youngsters Alec Burks, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward and Enes Kanter, might have contended for a playoff spot with support from a new veteran second unit.

Instead, the Jazz swallowed dead salary from Golden State to secure two future first-round picks, making it clear that this is a rebuilding season.


14. Sacramento Kings (2012-13 finish: 13th)

The Kings aren't settling for another trip to the lottery. They were active in free agency before landing Carl Landry, who followed coach Mike Malone and owner Vivek Ranadive inland from Golden State to Sacramento.

Greivis Vasquez gives the Kings a setup point guard for the first time since Mike Bibby, and rookie Ben McLemore supplies needed shooting. But the Kings haven't improved enough to consider the playoffs a realistic possibility just yet.


15. Phoenix Suns (2012-13 finish: 15th)

After years of resisting, the Suns finally committed to a rebuild during last season. Dealing for Eric Bledsoe and drafting Alex Len improves the team's talent, which was rated dead last in Insider's most recent Future Power Rankings.

For now, though, Len is coming back from surgery on both ankles, and Bledsoe will play with Goran Dragic in the backcourt. Phoenix is the odds-on favorite to finish last in the Western Conference and add another talented prospect to the core in next year's draft.

 

[Frump]

Carlos Rodon looks like No. 1 pick in 2014 MLB draft - ESPN

 

[Skooby]

Carlos Rodon looks like No. 1 pick in 2014 MLB draft - ESPN

Carlos Rodon worthy of No. 1 hype

CARY, N.C. -- My trip to North Carolina to see the U.S. collegiate national team play the Cuban national team for two games was mostly built around one man -- NC State lefty Carlos Rodon, the heavy favorite to be the first overall pick in next year's Rule 4 draft. Rodon threw on Tuesday night and more than lived up to expectations.

He started out at 90-93 mph with his fastball but by the third inning was picking up steam, hitting 95 frequently and eventually topping out at 96 on a strikeout to end the sixth inning.

That was merely the appetizer to Rodon's main course, one of the best sliders I've ever seen from an amateur, 84-88 with power and bite, at both sides of the plate, to right- and left-handed hitters. It's so obscene the FCC might not allow basic cable channels to show it before 11 p.m.

With that pitch, and the fastball to set it up, he could have gone once through a major league lineup on Tuesday night and wouldn't have looked the least bit out of place. His changeup is the one pitch that needs improvement, although he flashed a few grade-55s where he pulled the string on hitters at 81-83 mph. He's willing to double up on it, so it's not a question of confidence in the pitch.

Rodon starts his delivery with a high leg kick, staying over the rubber well, and takes a long stride toward the plate while pronating his arm early enough to be ready to fire when his front leg lands. He's a good athlete -- taking a great BP last summer during the defunct Prospect Classic event -- who repeats his delivery well, with no major red flags.

He relied pretty heavily on the slider during the college season, which is a concern for elbow health and general wear and tear, but otherwise checks every box you might want to see in a potential first overall pick and projected No. 1 starter. Finishing with the majors' worst record this year will bring a nice consolation prize for some lucky team.

• The best position player on Team USA is rising sophomore Alex Bregman, the starting shortstop for LSU and one of the best pure hitters in college baseball. Bregman's swing is simple, and he has a preternatural feel for squaring up the ball, showing in these two games (and pretty much everywhere else he's played) that he can hit all manner of pitches in all locations.

When he makes contact, it tends to be hard. He's an adequate shortstop at this level, but I can't see him staying there long-term despite the work he's put into his defense. At second base, however, he's a potential top-10 pick in 2015.

• That's also a backhanded indictment of the rising juniors on the team, none of whom stood out as a clear first-round talent. Rodon's NC State teammate Trea Turner still isn't running at 100 percent after a spring ankle injury, and if he's not an 80-grade runner, he's not a first-rounder for me. His bat speed isn't great, and the right-handed hitter drifts badly over his front side. He'll merit a long look from everyone next spring, however, as a shortstop who is one of the more athletic college kids in the class.

• San Francisco outfielder Bradley Zimmer is interesting, in part because he's the younger brother of Royals prospect Kyle Zimmer but also because he's an above-average runner with a solid swing and some room to fill out and add a little power. He made huge strides in his plate discipline this spring. After drawing four walks as a freshman against 31 strikeouts, Zimmer drew 29 walks as a sophomore with the same number of strikeouts but in 90 more plate appearances. He'll have to develop at least average power to profile as a big league regular in time, but as a college bat with a good swing and some athleticism, he rates highly right now.

• On the mound, Vanderbilt righty Tyler Beede showed good stuff, working at 91-95 and throwing five different pitches, including a few above-average changeups. However, his delivery was all over the place, especially his timing. It would be generous to give him grade-40 command off his outing Monday night. Beede was a first-round pick out of high school by the Blue Jays but did not sign and will probably be a first-rounder again, but he's not in the top tier with Rodon or Cape Cod League sensation Jeff Hoffman from East Carolina.

• UNLV right-hander Erick Fedde started Monday night's game and was solid, with a 91-94 mph fastball and average slider at 81-83, although he got on the side of a few and saw them flatten out. His changeup is straight and inconsistent, and he's not very physical at 6-foot-4, 165 pounds. He's not a first-rounder off this look but is someone to watch because he could put on some weight to add velocity and because his arm works well enough that he could start.

• TCU right-hander Riley Ferrell came in to close out Monday night's win for Team USA and was electric, sitting 95-98 with a short, sharp 84-86 mph slider. At 6-2, 200 pounds, he has starter size -- especially in the horizontal plane -- but a max-effort delivery that will work out of the pen only. Arizona State right-hander Ryan Burr, a rising sophomore, played a similar tune Tuesday night, hitting 96 with a delivery that points to a career in relief.

• As for the Cuban team, the players were disappointing across the board, even 2006 WBC star Yulieski Gourriel, who is a shell of his old self. Cuba had a few arms who might garner interest as relief prospects, but only Saturday starter Norge Ruiz (whom I didn't see) seems to profile as a starter, and even he will have to face the industry bias against sub-6-foot right-handers.

 

[noble]

Why USC Trojans are a dark-horse BCS title contender - College Football - ESPN

please

 

[Jplaya2023]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9517977/nba-projecting-top-10-point-guards-warp-2013-14

 

[JBoy]

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-...g/player/evaluation/_/id/168313/jakeenan-gant
if you can good sir

 

[Skooby]

Why USC Trojans are a dark-horse BCS title contender - College Football - ESPN

please

Sorry man...just now seeing this.

Why USC is a BCS title contender

The USC Trojans were the No. 1 team in the country at the start of last season. But not only did they not win the national title, they also went on to become the first preseason No. 1 team to finish the season unranked. As a result, their bandwagon, which was overcrowded in August 2012, is now almost empty. I will gladly stay on the Trojans' bandwagon for this upcoming season, however, because of many factors: an easier schedule, a deeper roster and the fact that expectations are much lower.

The biggest concern for the Trojans is at the quarterback spot. Last year, Matt Barkley came in as the front-runner for the Heisman, but he did not have the type of season everyone expected. Max Wittek played in eight games and started the last two with Barkley hurt, but he struggled big time in the bowl game. This year, he will be challenged by two talented underclassmen in Cody Kessler and true freshman Max Browne, who was in for the spring and was arguably the best pro-style high school quarterback in the country last year. No matter who ends up being the starter, he will be surrounded by some of the best skill-position talent in the country, and I don't think the numbers will drop too much from 2012.

With injuries at the running back position last season, the Trojans had to move linebacker Tre Madden to offense before he too was injured and forced to miss the entire season. USC then got a gift over the summer when former Penn State running back Silas Redd transferred and was able to play immediately. Redd topped 100 yards three times in the first six games and was on pace for 1,000 yards before being banged up (he finished with 905 yards). This year, they not only bring back Redd, but they are also much deeper behind him, as they return D.J. Morgan and get Madden back from injury in addition to adding two talented freshmen in Justin Davis and Ty Isaac.

The Trojans had arguably the best receiving corps in college football last year thanks to Marqise Lee, who easily won the Biletnikoff Award, finishing with 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns. While No. 2 receiver Robert Woods departs this year, keep an eye on Nelson Agholor, who could have a breakout season with defenses concentrated on Lee. At tight end, USC has a great one-two punch in juniors Xavier Grimble and Randall Telfer. While the unit did have some injuries in the spring, with George Farmer tearing his ACL and Grimble being out until August, this remains one of the top receiving corps in the country.

Last year, a depth-shy offensive line unit forced Max Tuerk to become the first true frosh to start at left tackle for the Trojans. This year, they are much deeper, as the only loss is three-year starting center Khaled Holmes. They have 85 career starts returning, including four players who made my preseason All-Pac-12 team. This should be one of the nation's best offensive lines.

On the defensive side, the line was USC's most inexperienced unit on the entire team last year. With that inexperience, Morgan Breslin became the first juco defensive lineman to start an opener for USC since Marcus Bonds in 1994, while true freshman Leonard Williams started nine games and earned Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Trojans did allow 167 rushing yards per game, their highest since 1996, but also had 45 sacks.

The great news this year is they lose only defensive end Wes Horton. Breslin, after recording 13 sacks, is a possible first-round selection in next year's NFL draft, while George Uko is a solid talent at defensive tackle. With a new defensive coordinator in Clancy Pendergast and a move to a multiple front, this looks like USC's best D-line since 2008.

Last year, the Trojans started three sophomores at linebacker, and they finished as the team's No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 tacklers. This year, they return Hayes Pullard, who earned Pac-12 honors after recording 107 tackles. While Dion Bailey moves to strong safety, his loss is offset by the addition of former defensive end Devon Kennard, who returns healthy after missing last year. A player who could surprise is Jabari Ruffin, the scout team defensive player of the year last year as a true frosh. This unit has better depth than last year and should be one of the better linebacker units in the country.

This year, the losses are heavy at defensive back, as they lose a pair of All Pac-12 performers in free safety TJ McDonald and cornerback Nickell Robey. They do have four of the top eight returning and add in Bailey from linebacker. Highly regarded true freshmen Su'a Cravens and Leon McQuay III also figure to get plenty of action. While a lot less experienced, this unit could surprise thanks to a super defensive front seven that figures to generate a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Overall, USC actually ranks No. 1 in the Pac-12 in my talent ratings in six out of nine categories, which says a lot about the Trojans' talent when the conference features perennial top-10 teams in Oregon and Stanford. With a much deeper team, the Trojans, unlike last year, are in better position to deal with an injury or two. The schedule sets up nicely as well; they do have to play both Arizona State and Notre Dame on the road, but they get Stanford and UCLA at home while avoiding Oregon for the first time since 2004. Currently, I have them favored in 11 games, with the other two games rated as toss-ups.

Though the pressure is clearly on coach Lane Kiffin to deliver, I think this year's squad is more talented and deeper than the 2012 preseason No. 1 squad. They also won't be playing with national title pressure. Add it all up and the Trojans will go from being a disappointing team last year to a dark-horse national title contender in 2013.

 

[Skooby]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9517977/nba-projecting-top-10-point-guards-warp-2013-14

Projecting top 10 PGs for 2013-14

As we enter the dog days of the summer -- always a calm time in the NBA -- there are a few notable free agents still out there (Greg Oden, Mo Williams and DeJuan Blair come to mind). For the most part, though, we've got a pretty firm idea what the rosters are going to look like when the 2013-14 season tips off on Oct. 29. As the depth charts have filled, so have the forecasts generated by ATH coalesced. ATH is the projection module of NBAPET, my system of integrated spreadsheets for tracking, evaluating and forecasting all things NBA.

With the pieces falling into place, let's take an early stab at ranking players by position, beginning today with point guards. (Although keep in mind that assigning a primary position to a player in today's NBA is often more art than science.) Over the next two weeks, we'll rank players by position according to ATH's forecasted WARP, or wins above replacement level. WARP is perfect for this kind of exercise because it accounts for a player's efficiency, volume of production and team context.

Here are the projected top 10 point guards for the 2013-14 NBA season followed by the next five and an overview of how some notable PGs fell outside the top 10.

1. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
Projected 2013-14 WARP: 15.9

This might be the Year of Chris Paul, if the Miami Heat falter a bit in the regular season or MVP voters grow tired of rubber-stamping LeBron James' name at the top of their ballots. With the Clippers poised to build upon last year's breakout season and challenge for the top seed in the West, it could come down to a Paul versus Kevin Durant battle for the coveted Maurice Podoloff Trophy. Paul has finished in the top five of the voting four times and as high as second. Although ATH sees a near replica of Paul's 2012-13 WARP, it's still a figure that will garner lots of MVP chatter.

And why wouldn't ATH see Paul churning out the same season? At 29, he's squarely in his prime and his individual winning percentages the past two seasons (.740 and .739) nicely illustrate just how consistent he is. Paul doesn't use as many possessions as he did in his top seasons in New Orleans, but every other facet of his game has remained intact. Last season, Paul shot a career-low 32.8 percent from 3-point range, although he offset that by doing more damage inside the arc. He has shot as high as 40.9 percent from deep in his career, and, if he has a fluky good-shooting campaign, it could put him over a .600 true shooting percentage for the first time in his career. In fact, ATH sees a regression in the 3-point rate, bringing Paul up to a .600 TS% on the nose. With so many weapons around him -- Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford, Jared Dudley, J.J. Redikk, Matt Barnes, Reggie Bullock -- it will be up to Paul to orchestrate the most high-powered offensive attack he's been a part of to date.


2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Projected 2013-14 WARP: 11.7

By the time the MVP voting results were released during the playoffs, Westbrook had been knocked out by a knee injury, and, unfortunately, that's probably what we will remember most from his 2012-13 season. Overlooked at the time was the fact that Westbrook finished ninth in the voting despite ranking third in WARP. Although Westbrook's value to the Thunder was apparently overlooked when the ballots were completed, it was abundantly clear when he was absent in the postseason. ATH isn't forecasting a decline for Westbrook this season as much as a regression, and the distinction is important. Regression, in a statistical context, simply means moving toward average. It can be a positive or negative effect, yet many people take the term as a pejorative.

Westbrook took a huge leap last season, and, like Derrick Rose in 2011-12, he's likely to come back to earth just a little bit. ATH sees Westbrook maintaining his roughly 33 percent usage rate of the past two seasons. Given some possible shortages on the Oklahoma City bench, it could climb even higher depending on how many of his minutes come with Kevin Durant off the floor. If so, Westbrook's tepid efficiency could slide into the danger area.


3. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Projected 2013-14 WARP: 11.4

On a per-possession basis, ATH sees Irving bypassing Westbrook as the second-best point guard in the NBA. In general, NBA players experience the most growth in their early 20s, and Irving will be barely 22 by the time the 2013-14 postseason rolls around. His revamped Cavaliers might well be a part of the proceedings. ATH sees a growth in Irving's efficiency inside and outside the arc, resulting in a soaring true shooting percentage of .574. That's all while using the same portion of Cleveland's offense as the other young Cavaliers grow around him. The three-win leap in WARP is doable, but it certainly would help if Irving can make it through a season healthy. After two seasons, his career high in games played is just 59.


4. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Projected 2013-14 WARP: 10.7

Curry jumped from 4.7 WARP to 15.8 last season, but of course his health was the driving force in that quantum leap. Curry's winning percentage the past two seasons has been virtually identical: .665 and .669. He'll turn 26 this year, so chances are he has established his level of play, giving him a lower ceiling than someone like Irving. However, that level of play is still really impressive. You can set your watch by Curry's 3-point shooting, but last year he actually shot worse inside the arc than outside it. ATH sees a regression in the right direction in that regard, but a concurrent one in the wrong direction in Curry's turnover rate. If Curry can continue his improvement in ball protection, his bottom-line value will rival that of the non-Paul class of point guards.


5. Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets
Projected 2013-14 WARP: 9.9

With the change in talent around him, Williams will be one of the most intriguing players to watch in the coming season. In his best years in Utah, Williams was an assist machine, but, as a Net, he initially took on a heavy scoring load and his efficiency dropped off the map. Last season, with Brooklyn's roster improved, Williams' usage rate returned to previous levels, and his shooting percentages recovered accordingly. However, his assist rate was his lowest since his rookie season. Williams' turnovers also were down, so he simply had the ball less. With so much talent and so many alpha personalities on the new Nets, Williams can either be more of a cog in the machine or he can become its operator. Given the on-court proclivities of his new coach, Jason Kidd, I'm going to guess it's going to be the latter. If Williams can return to his days of double-digit assists, it will be a sign the new mix in Brooklyn is working.


6. Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
Projected 2013-14 WARP: 8.5

ATH sees Conley's 2012-13 season as a career campaign, but he's not likely to regress much. The biggest uptick in his game last year was shot selection, with a 5 percent increase in the portion of his possessions that ended with a 3-point attempt. That kind of wisdom, once gained, is not easily lost.


7. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Projected 2013-14 WARP: 8.3

Forecasting games played always is tough, and the formula for doing so leaves Rose with just 61 games in his projection. That's what happens when a guy misses 109 regular-season games over two seasons. His winning percentage is tabbed at .607, down from the .679 he put up in his MVP season of 2010-11. ATH, like the rest of us, believes Rose has plenty to prove in the coming season.

 

[Skooby]

8. Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
Projected 2013-14 WARP: 8.1

Lowry has put up right around 8.0 WARP in each of the past three seasons. He's in his prime and remains underrated. Could some younger guards behind Lowry climb over him on the value ladder? Sure. There are a number of point guards with higher ceilings, but few who have demonstrated such a consistent level of play.


9. Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets
Projected 2013-14 WARP: 8.1

Lawson is a classic example of the usage/efficiency nexus. His usage rate has increased in every season of his career, and his true shooting percentage has declined. Just as important, though, his assist rate has steadily climbed even as his turnover rate has dropped. This season, ATH sees all those various elements coming together as Lawson steps into his prime.


10. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Projected 2013-14 WARP: 7.8

There is a school of thought that Lillard entered the NBA fully formed and that, as outstanding as he was in his rookie of the year campaign, Lillard is as good now as he's ever going to be. This is the season we begin to find out whether that's true. ATH projects that Lillard will take a significant step forward, with progress in shot selection and especially on the defensive end.

The next five: Kemba Walker, John Wall, Tony Parker, Jose Calderon, Ricky Rubio.

It's a point guard league right now, so there are some big names that slip outside the top 10. Rubio, who ranks 15th at 6.5 WARP, would rate as the No. 6 shooting guard, for example. So these are actually solid ratings for the up-and-coming Walker and Wall, even though they are both dinged for a combination of high usage rates and low shooting percentages.

Parker's standing represents a slip, but he'll turn 32 during the playoffs next season. That's a rough age for a guard historically speaking, and Parker's forecast sees a regression to what he was before his spike the past two seasons. He's still at 7.1 WARP, which put him in the top 10 of every other position except power forward.

Also: Rajon Rondo's existing injury limits his forecast to 48 games and a 4.7 WARP. It's an uncertain process with guys coming off serious injuries, but the one-year anniversary of his knee surgery isn't until Feb. 12. With a full projection of games played, Rondo's winning percentage would have landed him between Lawson and Lillard in the rankings.

 

[Skooby]

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-...g/player/evaluation/_/id/168313/jakeenan-gant
if you can good sir

SCOUTING REPORT

Strengths:
Gant has that prototypical frame for the high major level with long arms and overall great length. He is ultra-bouncy and gets up twice before most get up once. He is a terror in the open court while filling the lane as he gets most of his points in transition and attacking the offensive glass in relentless fashion. In the half court set he can knock down the elbow jump shot or slash his way to the rim off the dribble.

Weaknesses:
Gant is still a young thoroughbred who is still picking up the nuances of the game. His overall offensive game is a bit raw as he depends on energy and athleticism at this stage. He can knock down elbow jump shots and has an occasional drop-step move, but overall his footwork (pivot work) and fundamentals (keeping the ball high) need to improve when operating in the paint. On the perimeter he still needs to improve his ball handling when attacking the rim and and add range to his jump shot.

Bottom Line:
Gant is a physical specimen with a terrific upside. He has the motor, athleticism, and budding skills to be an elite prospect someday.

NOTES
Travel Team: Southern Stampede...

 

[Lefty Gunz]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9507100/early-look-eastern-conference

 

[Skooby]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9507100/early-look-eastern-conference

July Power Rankings: East rising

With free-agency season just about settled and both the Las Vegas and Orlando summer leagues wrapped up, it's time to stop and examine how the league is shaping up in 2013-14. A handful of big-name free agents have yet to find their homes for next season (Nikola Pekovic, Brandon Jennings and Greg Oden, to name a few), but we still have a pretty good feel for each team.

On Wednesday, Kevin Pelton ranked the Western Conference teams, which leaves me to fill out the Eastern Conference standings. With the obvious disclaimer that things can change between now and the end of October, here's a tentative look at how the East ranks one through 15.

1. Miami Heat (2012-13 finish: 1st place)

Are you surprised? While there's some uncertainty at the top of the Western Conference, there's a sliver of separation between the defending champs and the rest of the Eastern elite. With the exception of Mike Miller, the Heat's championship core will be returning for its 2013-14 three-peat bid.

The biggest obstacle for the Heat next season won't be Miller's departure, but Dwyane Wade's health. If Wade's battered knees can hold up for a full season, the Heat will likely find themselves right back in the Finals for the fourth consecutive season. Sure, returning to the status quo might not seem like enough, but when the status quo includes LeBron James, little else needs to be done.


2. Brooklyn Nets (2012-13 finish: 4th)

With the additions of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Andrei Kirilenko, Shaun Livingston and Jason Terry, this might be the deepest team in the league. A lot of ink (err, bandwidth) has been spilled on the aging core, but let's not forget that their two best players -- Deron Williams and Brook Lopez -- are in their primes.

The Kirilenko addition should do wonders to keep Pierce and Garnett fresh for the playoffs, which will be huge with their lofty goals for next season. There's a very real possibility that the Nets show their age and fail to make strides in 2013-14, but they've cooled those concerns with a monster bench.


3. Chicago Bulls (2012-13 finish: 5th)

There promises to be some internal growth with Jimmy Butler and Marquis Teague, and the Bulls did well to bring in sweet-shooting Mike Dunleavy Jr. on a very team-friendly deal (two years, $6 million). Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Kirk Hinrich should be healthier, but let's be serious: It all hinges on that guyDerrick Rose.

If Rose returns to perennial MVP-candidate form, or something close to it, the Bulls figure to challenge the Heat for the top seed in the East and separate themselves from the rest of the pack. But that's a big if for someone so reliant on burst and athleticism.


4. Indiana Pacers (2012-13 finish: 3rd)

Why not higher on this list? While the Bulls added Rose and the Nets revamped their roster, the Pacers won't look appreciably different from their 2012-13 squad. Danny Granger's return could help, but he has been in decline for a few seasons now and that was before a balky left knee gave him a lost season in 2012-13.

There are legitimate questions whether Roy Hibbert and Paul George can maintain their breakthrough performances in the playoffs, but the duo is young enough to produce an encore. They'll need it to continue the franchise's upward trend.


5. New York Knicks (2012-13 finish: 2nd)

The Nets stole the headlines in the Big Apple for good reason. It's hard to figure out how the Knicks will improve on their 2012-13 campaign that gave them a No. 2 seed and an exit in the East semis. J.R. Smith had major knee surgery that will table him for 3-4 months, Andrea Bargnani won't help their porous defense and newcomer Metta World Peace is a 33-year-old coming off knee surgery.

If the Knicks consider Amar'e Stoudemire a $22 million sunk cost and commit to playing Carmelo Anthony at the 4 full time, they could make some more noise in the East. But this looks like a big step back for the Knicks.


6. Atlanta Hawks (2012-13 finish: 6th)

The general public probably responded to the Hawks' offseason with a resounding "meh," but there's a good chance that the post-Josh Smith era will pick up where it left off. Paul Millsap remains one of the more underappreciated players in the league (seriously, how did he sign for just $19 million?) and the rest of the core remains intact, including supersub Lou Williams, who missed the end of last season with a torn ACL.

The additions of summer league standout Dennis Schroeder and Elton Brand should bolster their bid to crash the top-four party, but they'll happily take the sixth seed without Smith.


7. Washington Wizards (2012-13 finish: 12th)

Whether the Wizards extend John Wall to the max ranks as one of the biggest remaining questions of the offseason -- they're currently discussing a five-year deal in the $80 million range -- but that shouldn't have much effect on the team's bullish outlook for 2013-14. The Wiz were quietly a top-10 defense for the second half of last season and they drafted Otto Porter Jr., who figures to step in right away at the small forward position.

With the 20-year-old Bradley Beal returning from injury, the Wizards could have the biggest jump in the Eastern Conference next season. Speaking of big jumps …


8. Cleveland Cavaliers (2012-13 finish: 13th)

If only they could trade for the Phoenix Suns training staff. With the talent on the roster, the Cavaliers could vault as high as the No. 5 seed in the East, but the talent could also be in street clothes for much of the season. No team possesses more "if healthy" qualifiers than the Cavaliers, with Kyrie Irving, Anderson Varejao and Andrew Bynum all battling various leg injuries.

To counteract the injury risk, the Cavs could use big developmental strides from Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson and No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett. A Heat-Cavs first-round playoff matchup is a real possibility, though I can't imagine we'd find anything to talk about.

 

[Skooby]

9. Milwaukee Bucks (2012-13 finish: 8th)

This could work. Underline, double-asterisk, highlight "could." With all the point guard openings being filled, Brandon Jennings figures to re-up with the Bucks on a qualifying offer and help try to lead the Bucks back to the playoffs.

Ironically, O.J. Mayo is a statistical twin to J.J. Redikk, who never found his footing in Milwaukee. But don't count out Larry Sanders and John Henson as the East's best young frontcourt. While the franchise's sideways direction could be questioned, the Bucks will be vying for the playoffs once again in 2013-14.


10. Detroit Pistons (2012-13 finish: 11th)

I'd be more excited about the Pistons had they addressed their spacing issues brought about by Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, but then they exacerbated the problem by signing notorious long-2 maven Josh Smith.

No doubt, Smith will improve their score prevention on the defensive end, but I'm still not sure how this team can put up enough points to be a playoff team. Can Kentavious Caldwell-Pope rescue a dreadful backcourt?



11. Toronto Raptors (2012-13 finish: 10th)

After winning summer league MVP in Vegas, Jonas Valanciunas appears to be right on track to becoming one of the league's most promising young centers. The Raptors' season could hinge on his continued development. If he falters, they could shift into tank mode and look to deal Rudy Gay. If Valanciunas continues to blossom, a push for the playoffs could be in order.

Any way you slice it, this is a young team that's probably a little too talented for its own good, with the loaded 2014 draft class on the horizon.


12. Orlando Magic (2012-13 finish: 15th)

The Magic seem primed for a veteran fire sale at some point. Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, Arron Afflalo, Glen Davis and Al Harrington are all on sizable contracts that could be attractive to playoff teams looking to clear future cap space and/or bolster their rotation.

Such a move would make sense if Orlando wants to keep their names in the "Riggin' for Wiggins" hat for 2014. A core of Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic is promising but not good enough to keep themselves out of the East basement.


13. Boston Celtics (2012-13 finish: 7th)

As is, the Celtics figure to be in the running for not just the league's worst defense, but I struggle to see how they score enough to fight their way into the playoff picture. Remember, this was the 20th-ranked team in offensive efficiency last season, and that was with Pierce, Garnett, a healthy Rajon Rondo and Terry. Who's their No. 1 scoring option next season? Jeff Green? Yikes.


14. Charlotte Bobcats (2012-13 finish: 14th)

The Bobcats desperately needed scoring in their point-starved frontcourt last season, and they made their two big offseason moves with that in mind. Cody Zeller might have been a reach at No. 4 and Al Jefferson might have been an overpay at $41 million, but both will help their anemic offense.

But that defense? It might be historically bad next season. We'll see if it's bad enough to "win" Tankapalooza 2014.


15. Philadelphia 76ers (2012-13 finish: 9 th)

By dealing Jrue Holiday for an injured Nerlens Noel and a top-five protected pick in 2014, new GM Sam Hinkie put the ball in Evan Turner's hands, which is the equivalent of waving a white flag on the 2013-14 season.

The 76ers figure to be horrifically awful on both ends of the floor, but that's the idea. For a team previously stuck in the cycle of mediocrity, being very bad ahead of the 2014 draft class might be the very best thing for the 76ers franchise.

 

[Frump]

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-...-storylines-july-basketball-recruiting-period

 

[Skooby]

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-...-storylines-july-basketball-recruiting-period

July hoops recruiting storylines

The last day of July is finally here, and what a long, strange trip it's been. Hundreds of players, dozens of events and three open evaluation periods later, the lessons learned and the storylines created on the basketball recruiting trail in July are too numerous to count. But we'll try.

We already caught you up with what we learned from the first, second and third live periods, but what about the month as a whole? From potential package deals to the battle for No. 1, what were the biggest storylines from July? Never fear, our team of RecruitingNation basketball experts is here to make some sense of a busy month.

What was the biggest storyline of July on the recruiting trail?

Dave Telep: The biggest storyline this summer has never changed. When No. 1 point guard Tyus Jones (Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley) said on ESPNU last week that he's going to college with No. 1 overall recruit Jahlil Okafor (Chicago/Whitney Young), what we've been saying all along about that package deal was crystallized. The end of the road comes in November to see if it actually happens. Depending on whom you talk to, there are differing opinions regarding where and whether they will actually end up playing together. Regardless of the outcome, the recruitment of Jones and Okafor as a package remains the single biggest recruiting story of the summer. This could get even more interesting if top-10 big man Myles Turner (Bedford, Texas/Euless Trinity) decides before them. Hypothetically, what if Turner called one of the schools on Okafor or Jones' list and told the head coach he wants to play there? That would put the school in the position of having to take the pledge. Could that affect the Jones/Okafor package? Who knows, but that's why this remains the biggest recruiting story of the summer. And it's not even close.

Paul Biancardi: For me, it's how good Duke commit Grayson Allen (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence) is and how much better he could be in the future. As a coach, I'm always looking for team dynamics within the group. After this last evaluation period, it dawned on me that not only is Allen so talented and consistent while playing with all-out intensity, but he also was selfless enough to come off the bench for his Each 1 Teach 1 travel team all spring and summer until the semifinals of the AAU Super Showcase despite being the nation's No. 27 player. What's amazing about this and was overlooked by many is how he did so with a tremendous team attitude as he accepted his role. Keep in mind, this is a player who would be a starter and a star on any other travel team in the country. So when a player of his caliber takes a step back and makes a sacrifice when he could have easily complained or gone to another team, his positive attitude is screaming loud and clear that he is a winner. His sacrifice was rewarded with team success, as E1T1 won the Nike Peach Jam and lost in the championship of the Super Showcase to finish the grassroots season 21-1 down the stretch. Individually, what he does best is score with a deep 3-point shot and pull-up jumper from a rhythm dribble, along with strong drives and fearless finishes at the rim. Allen is strong and athletic and competes hard at both ends of the floor. Duke has a great prospect and someone whose approach to winning should be recognized.

Reggie Rankin: The biggest storyline of July was the continued emergence of two players who may have helped their stock more than anyone this spring and summer. At the top end, the name that kept coming up from college coaches, scouts, analysts, reporters and fans was No. 10 overall prospect Myles Turner, who played at a high level every stop during July. Turner has continued to turn heads with his motor, skill and elite shot-blocking ability, in addition to being a player with extremely high character. Turner went from unranked to No. 10 in the 2014 class during the spring and hasn't slowed down yet. Even at events he didn't attend, he was the topic of discussion among coaches. Turner has a who's who of college basketball's elite programs recruiting him and is without a doubt the hottest player in the class. Shooting guard Robert Johnson, meanwhile, isn't yet in the ESPN 100, but his stock has skyrocketed since the NBPA Top 100 Camp in June and continued to go up in July. He just landed an offer from North Carolina following the close of the July live period. Johnson was on the cusp of the ESPN 100 coming into the spring and summer and has played himself into becoming one of the top shooting guards in the 2014 class and a popular prospect among our staff. Johnson will be a priority topic to discuss when we next update our player rankings. He has been consistent and produced at a high level, which has earned him a number of scholarship offers from some of college basketball's most high-profile programs.

Joel Francisco: As July began to wind down, I reminisced about some of the intriguing battles I witnessed during the month, including Jahlil Okafor against Myles Turner and Emmanuel Mudiay (Arlington, Texas/Prime Prep) versus Tyler Dorsey (Los Angeles/St. John Bosco). As the No. 1 player in the ESPN 100, Okafor has a skill level and hands that are as good as it gets at this level. However, while I think Okafor will be a solid pro for quite some time, I feel Mudiay is the best prospect in the 2014 class in terms of everything he brings to the table. Due to his length, vision, competitive nature, size and improved jump shot, Mudiay has the most upside in the class. Tyus Jones is more polished at this stage and will be a pro, but Mudiay has all the intangibles to be a franchise point guard at the NBA level. Mudiay will get my vote as the No. 1 player in the country when we next update the player rankings.

Adam Finkelstein: For me, the biggest story in college basketball recruiting this month was the continued growth of potential package deals. That was already a big theme with the Class of 2014 given the rampant rumors of Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor making a unified decision. Jones essentially confirmed that was the plan last week at the AAU Super Showcase in Orlando, Fla., and while that is certainly big national news, it's not the only potential package deal in the works. No. 11 recruit Rashad Vaughn (Golden Valley, Minn./Findlay Prep) and No. 24 prospect Josh Perkins (Denver/Huntington Prep) made headlines to start the month at the Reebok Breakout Classic when they announced they would like to attend college together. And then as recently as last Friday, ESPN 100 travel teammates Abdul-Malik Abu (Boston/Kimball Union) and Jared Terrell (Weymouth, Mass./Brewster Academy) furthered rumors of their own package deal when both announced a top-10 list that included six of the same schools (Connecticut, Florida, Miami, St. John's, UCLA and Providence). Whether any of these ultimately comes to fruition remains to be seen, but right now there aren't many bigger stories in the recruiting world.

John Stovall: I would say the biggest storyline was the consistent complaint from coaches about the lack of quality point guards in the 2014 class. There are points who can score and points who can run a team, but few who can do both and even fewer who can do both at a high level. A couple of the best players at doing both are extra small: Chris Chiozza (Memphis, Tenn./White Station) and Tyler Ulis (Matteson, Ill./Marian Catholic). Smaller point guards who are talented are usually mid-major steals, but this year they are being recruited at the elite level. Chiozza, for example, is already committed to Florida. The search is on for quality point guards, and coaches are looking everywhere for them.