Prospect Examination: Aaron Gordon

Aaron Gordon entered this past college season as one of the best prospects in college basketball and eventual NBA player. The Arizona freshmen wasn't followed with a keen eye like the other freshmen around the country; Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Joel Embiid etc. The high-flyer has "OMG" athletic ability and just watching him you might have to check and make sure nobody is playing NBA 2K. But despite his "video-game" talents, he is a certain lock to go in the lottery but exactly where he might end up is as questionable as the sexuality of Donald Sterling's mistress V. Stiviano.

Some believe Gordon is a future star and some believe he's a role player well either way someway somehow he will be a intricate part to a young NBA team. Coming into his lone season at Arizona under Head Coach Sean Miller, he played the Small Forward position but didn't excel as a wing player as many pundits thought. Gordon is another "tweener" in the league which something not to brag about, but with the right team he'll be alright. Just looking at his season averages, you can tell that Gordon struggled with his shot and isn't the most reliable person at the charity strike. But what well translate to the NBA is his rebounding ability but his offense will need to be retooled.

In 34 games, Gordon averaged:

Year	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	FG%	FT%	3P%
13-14	12.4	8.0	2.0	1.0	0.9	0.495	0.422	0.356

Gordon is a 6'8, 210-pound 18-year-old. Earlier I stated that he is a "tweener", and being that isn't the best thing in the NBA. A few examples of "tweeners" in the association are Anthony Bennett, Derrick Williams and Thomas Robinson. All three players were top-5 picks in their respective drafts, but haven't quite panned out as expected. Bennett being drafted No. 1 in 2013 surprised everyone and Williams being drafted No. 2 in 2011 was expected after he dominated college but his struggle at his new job wasn't predicted. Robinson was selected No. 5 and was thought of as the next big thing with his motor but it hasn't quite quite panned out but he is having the best career of everyone else. The potential is there for Gordon to struggle in the league as he has no true position.

NBA scouts have been quite critical of Gordon as he has had a quite grotesque season for a potential lottery pick.

"I think Aaron Gordon would greatly benefit from another year," one scout said. "He has to improve to play the 3 and small-ball 4 at the next level. I think as a true 4 in the NBA, he will be a fringe starter at best."

When the teammate of Gordon, Brandon Ashley, suffered a injury one NBA scout thought that was a opportunity that Gordon needed.

"He's stuck between positions and I think we're going to have to embrace the fact that ideally, he's a four in our league," one scout said. "Now that Brandon Ashley likely is out the season, he'll move to his natural position and I think that will help his stock. Once he gets stronger, I think he'll be fine there. He's so quick, plays the game the right way and plays so hard, he's going to be really good. But you have to understand what he is and what he isn't."

When Gordon played for Team USA at the FIBA U19 World Championships, Team USA coach and current Florida Gators coach, Billy Donovan compared Gordon to his former player, current Chicago Bulls center and reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year - Joakim Noah.

"I don't mean to say he's the same kind of player, but in terms of coaching him, he reminds me in a lot of ways of Joakim Noah," Donovan said. "He's got that energy and that kind of passion."

"A lot of guys are really talented and athletic," Donovan said. "What makes him so different is his effort, his energy. … There are things he's got to get better on – he doesn't necessarily have this great scoring skill, in terms of a low-post game yet or he's not this great 3-point shooter."

"I think he's got such an incredible ceiling because the things I'm talking about," Donovan said."He can get better at those things. What you can't teach, and I think is so important, is an incredible motor. He really has an incredible motor."

The offensive game for Gordon will take a few years to develop as his NBA career progresses. According to Matt Moore of CBSSports.com, Gordon ranked in the 12th percentile in jumpshots, 13th in putbacks and 15th in post-ups. The young-man has a 6'11.5" wingspan an above average vertical and should be able to execute more on putbacks. His post-ups and shooting will obviously have to be something he works on in his downtime to become a threat. Gordon though, is a threat when he enters the painted area as he could finish with authority or simply lay it in. He has great control in the air also but his real weakness to his game is his free-throw shooting.

"What he does, he does a little bit of everything,” Miller said. “And he can really handle the ball. He’s an unselfish passer, he’s great in transition. He can rebound at both ends. From a defensive perspective, it’s like he’s an upperclassman. He can guard a variety of players. And he takes that part of his game seriously. ... I’m almost describing an older player and yet Aaron just turned 18 years old."

Gordon though, is great at defense as he was No. 2 in the PAC-12 in Defensive Win shares at 3.0 and with his footwork along with his wingspan well almost certainly come with him to the NBA.

Everybody in the NBA loves defensive players, and his coach Sean Miller noticed his capability on that end.

"I’ve never had such a young player be so locked in and capable on the defensive end," Miller said. "While it’s hard to argue that an NBA should draft a lockdown defender so high in such a loaded draft, the thought is Gordon’s offensive skillset has only scratched the surface. He guards multiple players each game. In Aaron’s case, he plays the low post, against a post player, and then he turns around and guards perimeter players. I can say that I don’t think any that I’ve coached have been successful as a freshman doing that."

"What's so unique about Aaron Gordon's defense? Miller thinks it comes in the versatility that allows the freshman forward to handle big men and perimeter players alike. 'I can say that I don't think anyone that I've coached have been successful as a freshman doing that,' Miller said."

If you follow college basketball, then might've heard Gordon get unneeded and far fetched comparisons to Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin. Gordon is nowhere close to the talent level of Griffin and his coach Sean Miller came to his defense on the comparisons.

"I think it’s unfair to put that on Aaron,” said Sean Miller. “I don’t know if he’s as much of a post player as Blake Griffin is. Aaron might not even be as big physically as Blake Griffin. ... But he does some other things that are much different. He’s much more fluid away from the basket entering his freshman year, I think if you would make that comparison at equal time, than Blake Griffin [was]. The one thing they share is athleticism in and around the basket or in transition."

Aaron Gordon is a very high-risk player of this years crop of players. The kid isn't offensive talented to be a 3-man and isn't big enough to play 4-spot. He is still a teenager and should add muscle to his brittle frame or else he will be lunch meat to his opposition and become a liability to his team. Gordon has so many flaws that I question as to why he wouldn't stay another year at Arizona because right now in my opinion he is a D-league player and won't be around the league for a long term and I'm just making that assumption based off of his season at AU. Put it like this, I think Gordon is a bust.

NBA Comparisons: Shawn Marion, Kenneth Faried, Derrick Williams

Best Fits: Sacramento Kings, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers

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Due Diligence: The Los Angeles Lakers Coaching Search

On April 30th, 2014, Mike D'Antoni resigned as the Head Coach of one of the most storied franchises in American sports.....the Los Angeles Lakers and the fans of the franchise rejoiced. The reason why D'Antoni resigned was due to Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak opting not to exercise the 2015-2016 season on his contract and D'Antoni was paid a undisclosed amount of money from the $4 million owed to him. In years past only one coach has proven capable of controlling the "Black Mamba" that is Kobe Bryant and now that master of Zen has taken on a greater task in the concrete jungle.  With that being said, whomever coaches the Lakers next must know how to control the venomous Mamba and also embrace the larger task of restoring the franchise to the days of past, the days where the just making the playoffs wasn't the goal....contending for world tiles was the only option.  

After the somewhat surprising departure of D'Antoni, Kobe Bryant subliminally displayed being happy that D'Antoni was gone by saying he "didn't care".  The display showed Bryant didn't have an iota of respect for D'Antoni. Since the resignation of D'Antoni, the Lakers were immediately linked to a multitude of coaches ranking from college, to former coaches and finally current NBA coaches. The men who were associated with the franchise were none other than, Kevin Ollie (UCONN), John Calipari (Kentucky), Roy Williams (UNC), Tom Thibadeau (Bulls) and former coaches Jeff Van Gundy, Mike Dunleavy, Sr., Byron Scott, Lionel Hollins, Kurt Rambis and George Karl. None of the NBA coaches have denied interest in the Lakers but the college coaches have as they are content coaching student-athletes. 

To be brutally honest, I couldn't blame the college coaches ala Kevin Ollie, John Calipari and Roy Williams for staying where they are. The NBA is a business where you are hired to get fired; in college that isn't the case as you are hired there to be viable as long as your team is respectable. Also in college, the fans seem more loyal to their coaches than players and in the NBA it's vice versa.

Kevin Ollie was a 13-year NBA journeymen but didn't gain national attention until he led the UCONN Huskies to a improbable NCAA championship. The 41-year old was linked to "The City of Angels" because of his success in two short years at Connecticut and his league wide reputation as a player which made some believe that he would be a perfect for since LA would be in rebuild soon. But the chances of him becoming the new coach of the Lakers ended when he agreed to a multi-year extension with UCONN which would pay him $3 million annually.

University of Kentucky coach John Calipari was immediately linked to the Lakers job. Calipari has led Kentucky to the NCAA championship game two of the last four years and has produced many NBA players in John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and soon-to-be draftees James Young and Julius Randle. Most of their starters are returning and he has yet again put together another dominant freshmen class. So the question now is, Why would he leave? Calipari quickly put out the flames of the possibility of him becoming the Lakers coach.

"Before it starts," Calipari said as he shutdown the Laker rumors. "I'm totally committed to helping this group of young men reach their dreams," said Calipari. I wouldn't & couldn't leave this group." 

In 2004, one season after leaving the University of Kansas for the University of North Carolina, Roy Williams had declined to speak with the Lakers. The 10 year time period saw Williams have a change of heart. With the Lakers deciding to once again flirt with Williams, this time around he has "friend zoned" them by saying he believes he's solely meant to be a college coach and couldn't make the commitment to being in a relationship with the Lakers or NBA. In the college ranks, Williams has won two national championships at Chapel Hill in 2005 and 2009.

"I've always felt like that I'm a college coach and that's where I belong,” Williams said. “(Lakers general manager) Mitch Kupchak is one of my best friends in the whole wide world, there's no question there, but I'm a college guy and if somebody calls and offers me the greatest job in the world, it better be really good because I feel like I've got about the greatest job in the world."

Tom Thibadeau's relationship with the Chicago Bulls front office is as bad as his team's offense. Thibadeau and the Bulls are a good pair but he and GM Gar Forman reportedly don't see eye-to-eye which could prompt Thibadeau to leave. He has been linked to the Lakers but is under contract in the Windy City through 2017. Despite those rumors, no gas has been added to the fire and the only way Thibadeau is coaching the Lakers is if the Bulls agree to compensate them which is what the Los Angeles Clippers did with the Boston Celtics last season to acquire Doc Rivers. Thibs had also been linked to the Warriors (Steve Kerr is new coach), Memphis Grizzlies and the New York Knicks, which is the only team he has interest in coaching. 

George Karl, Jeff Van Gundy and Kurt Rambis are three coaches that have been linked to the Lakers and that's about it. There have been no reported conversations between the team and any of those former coaches. Two of the three candidates are being linked to other franchises as the Lakers take their time in naming a new coach. Karl has been associated with the Cleveland Cavaliers as he could make a return to the franchise as their coach and possibly their team  president. Karl, 63, has the most wins of any candidate with a 1,131-756 record — 59.9% winning percentage — in 25 NBA seasons. Van Gundy on the other hand, has been linked to the Memphis Grizzlies as possibly becoming their coach and president of basketball operations which would make David Joerger's exit imminent and Rambis is just being linked to the team with no eye popping credentials.  

    

Byron Scott, Lionel Hollins and Mike Dunleavy, Sr. have all been linked to the Lakers recently and are likely to become the new coach of the franchise than the previous candidates, unless new candidates emerge. Mike Dunleavy, Sr. — father of Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy, Jr. — has recently interviewed for the Lakers job as he has 17 years of experience in the league — coaching record is 613-716 (.461) — in which he coached the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers. Dunleavy was recently with the Clippers in 2010 but resigned. He has a history with the Lakers as he coached them from 1990-1992 and made a NBA Finals appearance in 1991.    

Byron Scott probably has the most notoriety of all the candidates since he actually played with the organization from 1983-1993 and 1996-1997 and helped them to three NBA championships when "ShowTime" was must-see-tv in LA. 18 years after being the veteran presence to a young Kobe Bryant, he could now reunite now with him. Scott recently coached the then New Jersey Nets and New Orleans Hornets and also the Cleveland Cavaliers. He led the Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. Scott hasn't coached a good team since the 2008-2009 season in which the Hornets went 49-33. Since then, Scott has been a aberration of what he once was which was a winner. From 2010-2013 he went 64-166 and has a 416-521 (.444) coaching record all together. As Scott recently interviewed for the Lakers job, he left feeling confident.

"I don't feel I'm a very arrogant guy, but I feel like I am the perfect guy for this job," Scott said to ESPNLA 710 Radio. "I got a great relationship with Kobe. I know the team, know the roster. I watched them all season long and I just think it would be a great fit.

There's one thing we all know about Kobe Bryant, he likes playing the game of basketball the way he wants to and doesn't plan in changing his game for anyone unless your name is Phil Jackson. Byron Scott recently said Kobe needed to change his game if he got the job: "Obviously, if I get the job, the first conversation I have is with Kobe... talk about the type of game that he's going to be playing because he's going to have to change his game a little bit, and I think he knows that." An argument could be made if Scott is the perfect fit for the job, but looking at his recent success and the type of players he's coached, it looks as if he will still be unemployed especially since the chances of Kobe changing the way he plays is like the chance I have to make it in the NBA – zero.

The last candidate but certainly not least is former Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins. Hollins is a former NBA player and champion and is a coach in which perennial All-Star guard Kobe Bryant might enjoy to play under due to his stringency in which the franchise will need as they will enter a youth movement. Hollins also brings a championship swagger due to reaching the NBA Finals as a player (Portland) and assistant coach (Phoenix). Hollins is as close to a perfect fit as one can get as he took a horrific Memphis Grizzlies team into a team to watch and got accustomed to winning. He led Memphis to the 2013 Western Conference Finals and made history in 2011 at they swept the No. 1 seeded San Antonio Spurs. If the Lakers enter win-now mode then Hollins is the perfect choice, if in rebuilding mode then your hire Hollins, it's a win-win situation hypothetically speaking. Coach Hollins has a 214-201 (.516) coaching record and is the guy Mr. Bryant wants to see drawing up playa for him during timeouts. 

The Lakers will do everything they can to hire the right coach and someone who won't extirpate the franchise even more. The question now is, How will Kobe Bryant impact their decision? Bryant wasn't a big fan of the hirings of Mike Brown and Mike D'Antoni and would like the team to not play favorites and wants to have input on their next coach, which would likely be his last. 

"On the last two they didn't," Bryant said. "On the third one, I'm hoping they do... Honestly, it's not really about whether the players like the coach or not, it's really about getting results. Liking somebody and those results don't necessarily go hand-in-hand. Sometimes when a coach is driving you, you don't necessarily like it, but it's a part of the process, and then once you win, everybody is buddy-buddy after that."

The Los Angeles Lakers franchise plans on communicating with Kobe Bryant throughout the coaching search, but it has been made clear that he won't be a part of the process and whatever he says it won't thwart the organization from making a final decision.

"From time to time we ask his advice," Mitch Kupchak told ESPN's Andy Katz at the NBA draft combine in Chicago. "He really won't weigh in on something like this. I'm not even sure that we'll talk to him prior to interviews. But from time to time, he is in our facility, I'll go downstairs and I'll talk to him about a bunch of different things."

LA is trying to return to the glory days, the days which began with George Mikan and evolved to the days of Wilt-West, Magic-Kareem and Kobe-Shaq. Their way back to the top of the totem pole starts with their next coach as the 16-time NBA Champions are in a precarious situation. The ball is in their court, will they go for a coach that is a rough, tough and intimidating like a slam dunk or someone who is soft, finesse and simple like a layup. The Lakers have a bevy of candidates that have congregated to them and it's only a matter of time until they decide who will become the 25th Head coach in franchise history. The new hire can either tame the "Black Mamba" or get struck by its deadly venom which will prompt the search for number 26. Mitch Kupchak and his peers have many options to pick from and it doesn't seem like they will rush the process which is wise. Will the Lakers return to prominence next year or the NBA's Draft Lottery? The next coach will have a abundance of pressure and it will be entertaining to see who is selected. Lionel Hollins, Byron Scott, Mike Dunleavy, Sr., George Karl, Jeff Van Gundy and others are all worthy candidates but there can only be one.

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Press Play on Phil Pressey

As a little kid it's a natural instinct to dream big as we all want to become great at what we do. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)  Hall of Famer Bret Hart's motto was "The Best there is, the Best there was and the Best there ever will be." That's the slogan that every athlete should follow because they all should aim to be the best at their craft. In the NBA that motto is hard to follow; especially when one is selected in the 2nd round but to be undrafted makes that motto irrelevant but one can use it as motivation. 

Former Missouri guard and the son of 11-year NBA veteran, Paul, Phil Pressey was projected as a late to undrafted player in the 2013 NBA Draft by many “experts”. He did not have his name called by then NBA Commissioner David Stern or Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver and his dreams of joining a exclusive fraternity was falling from his grasp. Going undrafted must've hurt the ego of Pressey, because as a little kid he would go the gym with his father who was a assistant coach for the Celtics, along with playing his AAU games in Waltham where the team practices and idolizing Celtics' legend Paul Pierce. Along with other offspring of NBA players ala Austin Rivers - son of Doc Rivers - and also being scared of the forward.

"We used to be there shooting before practices and games,” Austin Rivers said. “Then he would come up and say, ‘Y’all got to get off. It’s our turn now.’ We were like, all right. We were scared of him at that point."

Pressey recalls watching now 36-year old NBA citizen Paul Pierce play as a youthful child back at the Fleet Center alongside of Antonie Walker.

"He’s one of my favorite players,” Pressey said. “Me being younger, eighth grade, you always were just kind of drawn to whoever were the best players on the team. When him and Antoine Walker were on the same team, that was like my favorite. Because all they did was shoot threes. That was fun to watch."

As a basketball player, he knew he had the talent to be one of sixty players drafted into the association but he wasn't and despite that he still felt as if he belonged. 

"I was just frustrated because I knew I had a chance to be drafted," Pressey said.

Phil Pressey was given a chance by a team he was familiar with in the past as a child which was the Boston Celtics as they signed him to be part of their summer league roster and after a humdrum summer league in which he averaged 9.4 points, 6.6 assists, 2.2 rebounds and a PER of 12.0, the Boston Celtics decided to sign him to a contract. On July 22, 2013 the then 22-year old signed a 3-year deal with the Celtics with the first year being guaranteed with him making $490,180. Pressey signing that contract was a great start to his NBA career as All-Star guard Rajon Rondo was still recovering from a Torn ACL and the team needed another ball-handler to be the leader while their "captain" was recovering from battle. No one wants to go undrafted and become a free agent but Pressey cherished it becoming one and somewhat suggested it as being a better option than most cases. He believes it behooved him in the long run because he was put in a position in which he was granted a opportunity on a rebuilding team in search of young talent

"After the 45th pick, it’s almost like you want to go undrafted because you never know what the team is going to do with you when they have your rights,” Pressey said. “So unless you’re 100 percent (sure that) the team is going to keep you, you might want to go undrafted so that you don’t end up overseas or getting sent to the D-League.......Do I want to hear my name called and go to a team that will probably send you overseas or cut you? Or just wait and go undrafted, and go to a team that really wants you."

Pressey had a feeling the Boston Celtics were a good fit for him to make a name for himself in the league due to the direction to team was heading in the era of Rajon Rondo after the departure of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers.

"I kind of knew that was probably going to be the place for me, my best shot to make it in the NBA,” Pressey said. “A lot of guys want to get drafted and hear their name called. But after the first 35 picks or so, you don’t want to get drafted. Because they have your rights and they can just send you overseas. That was probably the best thing I did in my life, because going undrafted was the best thing that ever happened to me."

As a rookie, Pressey came off the bench for the most part and in certain junctures of time he showed the fans and organization that he could be part of the Celtics immediate future. First year coach Brad Stevens trusted Pressey with the key to the car and allowed him to drive for awhile until Rondo came back and he needed to take a backseat but even so, Rondo would receive nights off due to rest and Pressey would be inserted into the starting lineup.

"There’s so much you can learn from (Rondo) from a talent aspect,” Pressey said. “But the most I’ve learned from him is his leadership on the court – how he manages the game offensively and defensively. It’s like when he’s on the court, everything’s where it needs to be. Guys are in their spots. Guys are competing at a high level. Just, his leadership is unmatchable out there."

"Phil’s case, it worked out perfectly,” former teammate and current D-League front office official Jarrett Sutton said. “I think the Celtics were always interested in him and knew he would be there if he didn’t get drafted. It’s worked out for him. He’s kind of a rare case." 

His rookie season was filled with great highlights and his play shouldn't be taken for granted as he showed he deserves to be in the exclusive of about 400 and is a reliable backup Point Guard. In a catastrophic season for the 17-time NBA champions, the now 23-year old guard averaged 2.8 points, 3.2 assists and 1.4 rebounds. Pressey is watching his dream of being a pro unravel in front of his eyes and taking this opportunity and running like Usain Bolt with it.

"I think when I’ve had the opportunity to play, I’ve done the best I can,” said Pressey, whose work ethic has been praised by Stevens and teammates throughout the season. “I went out there playing my hardest. There’s not much more I can do. My rookie year is going well so far. I mean, I wish we won a lot more. But I feel like for me personally, it’s gone up and down. But overall it’s pretty good."

"I’ve been dreaming since I was a little kid to start in an NBA game," Pressey said. "and I’ve had great assists games, and I’ve scored my career high. I’m just trying to learn as much as I can this season so I can come back next year even better."

Over the course of the NBA season, Pressey has soaked up knowledge about the parameters of the NBA and learned why veteran players say NBA stands for "No. Boys. Allowed." Pressey is ready for next season after what he learned in a tumultuous season. Phil Pressey has become a local favorite in Boston with his play on the court and with him having a past in Boston. He has become a cache of youthful prospects Danny Ainge has assembled in white and green, and has a solid rookie season in a wasted season. Pressey won't become a All-Star but has proved he can play in this level when needed as he is ready for any situation he's out in.

"Make sure you’re ready,” Pressey said. “You need to look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if you’re ready. Don’t just leave because it’s the NBA. I mean, the NBA takes no type of sympathy. If you’re not ready, they’re going to let you know it, and they’re going to send you elsewhere."

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Last of a Dying Breed: The Rivalry between Paul Pierce and LeBron James

Game-Winners, Dunks, screaming, stare downs etc., "The Truth" and "King James" have had tremendous battles in the playoffs dating back to 2008 when Paul Pierce was with the Boston Celtics and LeBron James was with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Those two going at it back in '08 during the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals gauged my interest, passion and love for the game of basketball. It wasn't Ali-Frazier, Magic-Bird, Jordan-NBA or Russell-Wilt — it was Pierce-James. The two future Hall of Famers are the epitome of what a true rivalry is, especially one-on-one duels which are dying in the NBA. The coronation of this rivalry was in '08 when the two went at it for a classic Game 7 and the right to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons.

I remember watching the game and seeing a then, much smaller James go at it against Pierce as they both displayed the heart of a champion. That game was a somewhat passing of the torch — Pierce was the best Small Forward for a certain period of time and from that game on James became the embodiment of a freakish human being. In that Game 7, James had 45 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. His opponent Pierce had 41 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. What signified the Celtics victory when I watched was when Pierce was at the free-throw line and the ball went up-up-up and raddled down. That moment was symbolic of Red Auerbach but that game in general was the start of something special.

"I had it going, LeBron had it going and we just didn't let up," Pierce said. "Neither one of us wanted our teams to lose. We both tried to will our team to victory and, just like Dominique Wilkins, I ended up on the short end and the Celtics won again.....I think the second round of the postseason, Game 7, these fans will finally have an opportunity to forget a little bit about what Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins did and remember what Paul and LeBron did."

New year, new date, same players. In the 2010 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals the two legends would meet again to fuel their rivalry. Coming into this series, the No. 1 seeded Cavaliers were thought as the heavy favorites to win the series and people within the organization hoped that theory was true as their star would become a free agent. The two would both go-off and have their star-like games but at different times but the two still went at it nonetheless. LeBron played like "King James" while Pierce was only "The Truth" in spurts. James averaged 26.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 7.2 assists; compared to Pierce's 13.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists despite the stellar performance of James, Piece was the war as the Celtics moved on 4 games to 2. The Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals but would eventually lose the Los Angeles Lakers in a historic 7-game series. The winds of change would soon blow over the city of Cleveland and LeBron James.  

LeBron James needed a change of scenery as his body in a wine and gold uniform wasn't as enticing as a hot uniform. James would go on to join the Miami Heat alongside of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to form a formidable "Big-3".  In his allegiance with Wade and Bosh, LeBron had the talent needed to finally overcome the threat of the Boston Celtics in the eastern conference.  

"As much as I loved my teammates back in Cleveland," James said. "As much as I loved home, I knew I couldn't do it by myself against that team."

It was the the Celtics "Big-3" plus-1 (Rajon Rondo) against LeBron and friends but he knew what he needed to in order to compete against Pierce and the Celtics.  The Narrative of their eventually 2011 playoff match-up was the villain (James) versus the hero (Pierce). The two met again on a even playing field as both of their teams were now loaded. Their battle was great as they went at it and not only did the two individual players have a rivalry but their teams had one as well. In that series, Game 4 was the best game between the two as James had 35 points and 14 rebounds in a astonishing performance; Pierce had 27 points and 8 rebounds. Game 4 was a crucial game as Pierce was looking to tie the series 2-2 but as the game came to a conclusion it was James who won the game giving his team a commanding 3-1 lead.

Game 5 was the passing of the torch team wise as the Miami Heat finished lunch in five games and James had gotten the better of Pierce that series. What stood out the most in Game 5 was how James took over the game in the closing minutes. As the crowd chanted "Lets-Go-Heat" I watched the game and saw Wade pass James the ball on the left wing and with no hesitation he shot the 3-pointer over Pierce (ironic right?). On the next possession, James played pestering defense and on the next Boston possession "The Captain" just broke down mentally with a key turnover. "King James" came back at Pierce and hit a step-back three over him and just stood there with a face ready to kill as he was breathing heavy and TNT commentator, Kevin Harlan said, "That might be the dagger" and that shot certainly was. Thought James was done with proving a point? Then you thought wrong, as soon as Pierce caught the ball, James stole it and rode the rim. James screaming after the next Celtics collapse, scoring on Pierce again and his Tim Tebow pose at the end had signified his rivalry with the captain as he finally beat him in a series and making their rivalry even more competitive.

"They the reason why all three of us came together," James said.

The lockout shortened season couldn't ruin another matchup as the two met in the Eastern Conference Finals. It was the old, hungry and battered Celtics against the young, hungry and multi-talented Heat. This series was terrific as Boston was on their last legs looking for one more title and Miami looking to win a title after a disappointing NBA Finals loss to the Dallas Mavericks the previous season.  

During Game 5, with less than a minute to go, the score was 87-86 Celtics and Boston needed a clutch basket. Rondo passed the ball to Pierce and James was guarding him, it was like the game was moving in super slow motion at the point. Pierce dribbling low and looking in James' eyes —Pierce suddenly pulls up for three and drains the shot as he told "The Truth" to "King James" that he still got it. Pierce had his little moment in Game 5 but Game 6 is a game in which one might've thought if God finally came back and resurrected in the body of LeBron James because on that night he was possessed. In that game, James closed on history like he does a chase-down block, the moment came for him to show his power and show his subjects why he's called the "King" and "Chosen one."

In Game 6, James stepped up for 45 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists on 73.1% shooting. LeBron showed up that night but Pierce didn't as he must've been in awe like everyone else at the poetry and pure dominance put on display by James. We've heard of the term "Black man gone wild" and that was what happened when the chains were unleashed from James and he terrorized TD Garden that night. Game 7 was one filled with emotions and I don't think that any Hollywood screen writer could've written it up any better without missing the smallest detail. The last time both Pierce and James played in a Game 7 was in 2008 in which both players had commendable outings but on June 9, 2012 the night belonged to James as his Heat burned the Celtics 101-88 as he had 31 points and 12 rebounds and his long 3-pointer over Brandon Bass added to the destruction. Riding a wave of momentum, the Miami Heat would go onto win their second NBA championship as they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games and as for the Celtics, the winds of change were now headed in their direction.

In 2013 the rivalry took a 1-year break but LeBron did say something interesting about the rivalry in that span.

"I would say that I don't really have an individual rivalry," James said. "I think the closest would be Paul Pierce," James said in June. "I would say Boston is a rival of mine because I've met them so many times in the postseason. I've been able to advance against them, they've sent me home fishing a few times. So I would say Boston and Paul Pierce would kind of be that guy, if I had to name just one guy. Paul was one of those rival guys, but I've been going against different guys the last few years," James said. "It's not just one guy.......I haven't played against one individual for a long period of time — since basically it was me and Paul. Me and Paul, we had so many duels and almost every year we were going against Boston whether I was in Cleveland the last few years or Miami … So, I don't know if there is one particular guy. There are some teams I believe are very competitive in both conferences, but it's not just one guy."

In 2013, James would go to win another NBA title and Pierce had a brief playoff run as the New York Knicks eliminated the Celtics. Just a few weeks after the playoff defeat, draft night came around and in a mind blowing trade, Pierce was traded to the Brooklyn Nets and had a decent season there as he is primarily there to add another ring to his collection but one man stands in his way — LeBron James.

2014 marks the rekindling of the rivalry as Pierce is a "glorified role player" and James is the clear-cut best player in the league. It's not the same as Celtics-Cavs/Heat but it's better than nothing. The two have met in the playoffs 5 of the last 7 years (including this year) with their personal record being tied 2-2.

Paul Pierce: "I rank LeBron as 1 of the greatest players 2 ever play the game.... He's the ultimate challenge."

Pierce vs. LeBron Regular Season:

Player	PPG	RPG	APG	W-L
LeBron James	30.8	6.1	6.4	15-19
Paul Pierce	22.0	6.0	4.2	19-15

Pierce vs. LeBron playoffs:

Player	PPG	RPG	APG	W-L
LeBron James	28.9	8.8	5.6	13-12
Paul Pierce	17.6	4.9	3.1	12-13

Both have had kind words to say off the court but we all know that once the ball is in the air for tip-off that their admiration for each other is a lost thought. This series, but the rivalry in particular should be cherished since this will most likely be the final time we see these two icons face one another under the bright lights on a national platform as it will come to an éclat ending . It's been great to see the evolution of the two men and their competitive spirit for each other and hopefully whomever is James's next rival (Kevin Durant) has taken the time to watch this storybook battle from beginning to finish.

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Cut from a different Cloth: The NBA's Rookie of the Year, MichaelCarter-Williams

In the Beginning.....

Being black isn't easy. The mother of NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams, Mandy Carter-Zegarowski, knows that saying better than anyone. She became pregnant with Carter-Williams in college at Salem State University located in my home state of Massachusetts. Being a pregnant African-American at a predominately Caucasian school was frowned upon during that time period and Carter-Zegarowski considered having a abortion. Deciding against abortion, she raised the eventual NBA star as a single mother in Hamilton, Massachusetts which is a very affluent neighborhood. Tragically, nine months after Carter-Williams was born, the mother of Carter-Zegarowski passed away. One would think that the tragic events would hinder her and "MCW" but it was the complete opposite even though life wasn't easy as they migrated from apartment to apartment.

"We lived in five apartments in five years,’’ Carter-Zegarowski said. “It wasn’t easy. But I know I’m a stronger person and I think my son is. He learned some hard life lessons early."

Carter-Williams was different as a kid in a good way as he habitually played with a circular, orange object named Spaulding and both have become great friends.

"Some kids had stuffed animals growing up,’’ Carter-Williams said. “I had a basketball."

Let me start this off by saying I'm wrong. When Michael Carter-Williams drafted with the 11th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, I honestly thought he was going to be a bust. The young man weighed 185-pounds while standing 6'7. The tallest point guard with that type of height that first comes to mind is obviously Magic Johnson and no one with the height I thought could really succeed. My first glimpse of "MCW" was in the Orland Summer League; I watched him closely because of the lack of faith that I had in him because he has too skinny and his summer league tenure proved me right. I kept a keen eye on a kid I thought was a waste of a lottery pick and a probable bust. At the conclusion of the summer league, he averaged:

Year	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
2013	13.6	4.2	6.8	2.0	0.271	0.158	0.760

In my opinion, you can't be thought of as a franchise player while averaging those stats in the summer league. Why? Because it's filled with more people trying to achieve than people who will live it and to shoot 27.1% from the field and 15.8% from the 3-point line. Carter-Williams made me think I could play in the NBA with the disappointment he was with his ineptitude shooting. I did the "Birdman handrub"  because I thought I was right on him 100%.

Fast forward to opening night, and the 22-year old had one of the best rookie debuts in NBA history against the reigning 2-time defending champions — Miami Heat. The skinny kid from Hamilton, Massachusetts had 22 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds and 9 steals (most by a rookie in their debut) subsequently after that game, he had 26 points and 10 assists against Derrick Rose. Carter-Williams would go on to win player of the week becoming the second rookie to achieve that honor since Shaquille O'Neal in 1992. He had a good first month on the job as he would go on to win the league's Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors for November in which he averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.4 steals.

A Guiding Force.....

Most rookies that enter the league make a dream-like salary and with that comes  opportunity but also more distractions but the parents of Carter-Williams would take responsibility of his money to prevent him from mishandling millions of dollars. His mother, Mandy, had deposited the $4.5 million he's guaranteed over the next two years into a trust fund in which he can't touch for the next three years.

"I told Michael he’s probably fine without me,” Zegarowski said. “But if there’s a chance I can make it 1 percent better by being here, I’m doing it. Maybe it’s 2 percent, maybe it’s 3 percent, maybe it’s 80 percent — I don’t know the percentage — but it’s just always worked. I’m telling him the same things today that I was telling him when he was 10 years old."

His stepfather, Zach Zegarowski, is living with him to help ease the transition from college athlete to NBA star.

"It’s going to be a tough year for him physically and emotionally,” Zegarowski said. “I’m really more of a support system and a sounding board — on top of a cook, a chauffeur, a maid and all that stuff. I just want him to concentrate on basketball."

Carter-Williams has no problem with his father living with him as he loves the bonding time with him.

"He’s been dealing with me with basketball my whole life,” Carter-Williams said. “To have him is great. It’s a comfortable thing...It’s just better having him here. He’s just done it my whole life. There was no other person, really. I’m most comfortable with him."

Being a young man in his early years with money like Carter-Williams', his parents are looking out for him so he doesn't surround himself with sycophantic people who will only care about themselves and not Carter-Williams.

A Star in the Making.....

In similar fashion to other NBA rookies who felt as if they should have been drafted with a higher pick, Carter-Williams grew a personal vendetta against the 10 franchises that passed him over.

"Every game I try to prove that I could've been the No. 1 pick," Carter-Williams said. "I have confidence in myself that I should've been."

As the season progressed, Carter-Williams would go in to do something along with Orlando Magic rookie guard Victor Oladipo that hasn't been done before. Two rookies finishing a game with a triple-double. "MCW" finished the game with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists and it was the first time since 2007 in which two opponents had a triple-double.

After that game, Carter-Williams would go onto a 7-game hiatus with a skin infection on the front of his right knee which caused right knee soreness. Despite his little lapse, he would go onto win Rookie of the Month of honors by averaging 19.3 points, 8.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 steals for December. The brittle like youngster would go on to achieve the distinction again in January by averaging 16.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.5 steals. Carter-Williams would also make his All-Star weekend debut as he participated in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge and Taco Bell Skills Challenge.

As the NBA season made its annual trek into March, Carter-Williams had his second career triple-double against the underachieving New York Knicks and with that game he became the first Sixers rookie to have two triple-doubles in a season. As March concluded he was named the East's Rookie of the Month for averaging 14.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.8 steals. April came around and he was just trying to end his Rookie of the Year season on a high note; he set a Point Guard high with 14 rebounds.

Carter-Williams ended his rookie of the year season with season averages of:

Year	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
13-14	16.7	6.2	6.3	1.9	0.405	0.264	0.703

The 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year averaged what I call a "Baby Triple-Double" with his season average of 16-6-6. Carter-Williams is the third player in NBA history with a stat line like that in a rookie season, as he joined Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson.

"There's so much that's contributed to Michael's success," said Carter-Zegarowski. "Like having a great coach that's allowed him to make mistakes and improve his game."

Despite the stellar season, "MCW" was sadly part of the Philadelphia 76ers team that set a NBA record for futility with a 26-game losing streak which tied the '10-11 Cleveland Cavaliers for the dubious record.

"I think [the losing] is still tough for him," said Carter-Zegarowski. "He's had the good fortune of being a part of a lot of winning teams. We have a lot of conversations about it being a business and we remind him often that there's a goal. The Sixers have a goal, they're just not set up to win right now."

With one season under his belt, "MCW" has his hopes high as he will be playing alongside of Nerlens Noel who missed the entire 2013-2014 season due to rehab as he came back expeditiously and was ready to play but management saw no point in playing him in a wasted season. Philadelphia will most likely have a top-3 pick and hopefully draft a wing player as they progress in their rebuilding phase.

Carter-Williams proved my opinion of him wrong and hopefully he doesn't go through the "sophomore slump" because with a great season like that he shouldn't fall off, especially on a team that desperately needs him. Current New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans, was the last player to have his name mentioned with Oscar Robertson in his rookie season when he was a member of the Sacramento Kings and he fell off by not living up to expectations. Hopefully the lanky guard in the city of "Brotherly Love" doesn't end up like him and becomes a conscientious person in his craft.

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