Buffalo Bulls: NBA edition

Since the Buffalo Braves left the Queen City in 1978 for San Diego (and eventually became the Los Angeles Clippers), Buffalonians have had to search for basketball teams to root for. Some fans follow the stars and root for the Lakers or Heat, while others embrace a (somewhat) nearby team like the Raptors or Knicks.

However, there is one basketball team right here in Buffalo. That team is the Buffalo Bulls. These Bulls may not play in Chicago, or anywhere in the NBA for that matter, but we can always imagine. Here is a comparison of sorts to give everyone an idea on who suits up for the blue and white.

Center—Mitchell Watt

NBA Equivalence—Marcus Camby, Portland Trailblazers

Both players tower over just about everybody else on the court.

Camby has never been the best offensive player, but he finishes around the rim, has flashes of brilliance in the post, and his timing is second to none. He has been among the league’s best shot blockers since he entered the league in 1997. He may be getting old, but Camby still fills the stat sheet with blocks and rebounds.

Mitchell Watt is the same way. He’s known on campus at UB as Mitchell “Swatt” for his shot blocking ability. He rebounds formidably and throws down a couple dunks per game, but he’ll never be a 20 PPG player.

Power Forward—Javon McCrea

NBA Equivalence—Amare Stoudemire, New York Knicks

Amare is a freak on the court. He’s constantly matched up against athletes significantly taller than him. Those athletes, however, can’t keep up with Stoudemire. He runs the court like a guard and throws down vicious dunks. Additionally, Amare has been a sensation since he was young—he jumped to the NBA from high school.

Javon McCrea knows what it’s like to be a young phenom. The forward is quite possibly the biggest recruit to ever come to UB. Last year he lived up to the hype and won the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year award. McCrea plays like a guard in a big man’s body. Tall guys can’t stick with him because of his ball handling and passing ability, and little guys can’t handle McCrea in the post. He’s a matchup nightmare for opposing coaches.

Small Forward—Dave Barnett

NBA Equivalence—Luis Scola, Houston Rockets

Luis Scola’s opponents know what he’s capable of, but many fans who don’t avidly follow the sport have never heard of Scola. He is the guy who just consistently produces but stays under the radar. He doesn’t have the flash or highlight reel plays, but he plays with 100 percent effort all the time.

Dave Barnett is the guy diving on the floor like Luis Scola. He doesn’t put up a huge stat line or throw down monster dunks, but he’s athletic enough to shut down the other team’s best player. He never stops pushing himself and he plays unselfish ball.

Shooting Guard—Zach Filzen

NBA Equivalence—Peja Stojakovic, Dallas Mavericks

This comparison derives from the Peja of yesterday, when he was knocking down infinite three-pointers for the Sacramento Kings. The version of Stojakovic who plays for the Mavs now is nothing like his old self. Every real basketball fan knows who Peja is. He had unlimited range in his heyday. Peja was a major reason everybody was afraid of the Kings in the early 2000s.

Zach Filzen shoots the three-ball like nobody else UB has had in recent memory. Filzen hit the second most threes in the NCAA last year. He runs off screens to get free like a maniac, and if you leave him open for a second or two, you’ll pay the price. His stroke is flawless.

Point Guard—Jarod Oldham

NBA Equivalence—Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Westbrook is the second-best young point guard in the NBA (trailing only MVP Derrick Rose). He has the quickness, ball handling, athleticism, and all other physical tools necessary to thrive as a point guard. He can score but he also plays tough defense. Westbrook is still young, though, and he’s trying to establish himself in the league.

Oldham has only played one year for the Bulls, but he showed great signs in his freshman campaign. By the end of the season, he was a great compliment to all-MAC starting point guard Byron Mulkey. Mulkey graduated and now the team belongs to Oldham. He is a lock down defender with freakish athletic tools. He can get above the rim with the best, but Oldham is still trying to develop a consistent jumper and prove himself in the MAC.

Sixth Man—Titus Robinson

NBA Equivalence—Jared Jeffries

Jeffries has turned into a solid player for the Knicks, but he’s never become what everyone expected from him. Jeffries was an impressive college player at Indiana, and he was a lottery pick by the Wizards in 2002. Since then, Jeffries has bounced around the NBA. He’s a good defender but his offensive game is almost non-existent.

Titus Robinson has all the potential in the world. He’s started back-to-back seasons. Now entering his senior campaign, it’s time to see if Robinson can finally fulfill all the potential fans see in him. Robinson is an impressive athlete and a pretty good all-around player, but he’s never been able to put it all together for the Bulls. Fans hope to see more from him this year.

Email: aaron.mansfield@ubspectrum.com

LeBron vs. MJ: The Debate

It’s been an interesting few days since the Miami Heat eliminated the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. While most media outlets have started concentrating on the much anticipated rematch between the Heat and the Dallas Mavericks, former Bulls forward Scottie Pippen gave the basketball world a different topic to ponder: Who is the greatest player of all time?

Pippen had this to say after the series ended…

“Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to ever play in the game. But I may go as far to say Lebron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game” (Scottie Pippen on ESPN Radio Mike & Mike In The Morning).

So before I get into the argument of who is better, let me talk about Pippen for a second.

Pippen is one of the best players to ever play the game. He is on the NBA Top 50 Greatest Players list and revolutionized the point forward position, in my opinion. He was Lamar Odom and maybe even a poor man’s Kevin Durant when those guys were still playing on the jungle gym. He can say whatever he wants and has the right to his opinion. He played with Jordan, and was literally courtside for the entire series in both Miami and the games in Chicago.

The observation he made was that LeBron could one day be better than Jordan, and as crazy as that sounds at first, it could happen. Will it happen; now that is a whole different story.

Michael Jordan is the greatest player to ever play any game, in my opinion. In no other sport have I ever seen a guy with such a determination and a will to win. He’s a guy that hates to lose and that mindset spills over into everything he does. His talent is undeniable, the way he mastered every part of the game – from defense, to his mid-range and three-point shooting, to his leadership ability, and the way he was able to consistently close out games – remains unparalleled since he retired.

LeBron isn’t Michael Jordan, and until this season, I would have argued that he would never be; but something has changed. I think it’s because of the way the league is today that prevents players from maturing in a quicker manner. It takes these guys that come directly from high school or after a year of college four, five, even six seasons to develop the win or die attitude that a player must have to win championships.

Kobe Bryant was lucky. When he came into the league he had Shaquille O’Neal to play second fiddle to. That helped him learn how to win and turned him into the closest thing to MJ I’ve seen in terms of being a killer (basketball wise) late in games. LeBron has never really displayed that quality.

Last season against the Boston Celtics, LeBron allegedly quit on his team, according to Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. While I wouldn’t go that far, he definitely didn’t have that killer mentality and it showed more and more in each loss. You have to understand though, doing everything by yourself is not going to work. Even the greats like MJ, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird had help. Pippen was a great player and he took the back seat most of the time to Jordan when it came to scoring, but he was a sensational passer and without his defense, the Bulls probably don’t win three of those six titles.

Getting out of Cleveland is exactly what LeBron needed to take the next step in his career. For as much player moves as the team made while “The King” was there, its inability to get another top player to play alongside LeBron was reason enough for him to take his talents to South Beach. This debate isn’t about “The Decision.” People are going to forget all about that in a few years anyway. It’s about his talent and what he is able to do on the basketball floor.

While LeBron isn’t MJ, he is the only player of his kind to ever play in the NBA. Never has there been a player that combined his size, skills and athleticism. What’s scary is that now he is starting to look like a closer; and ever more so, a leader. He’s playing in Miami with his best friend (Dwyane Wade) and he gets along with his teammates. Everybody giggled when the new “Big 3” pontificated about future championships, saying that four or five rings isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Well, after three rounds in their first season, LeBron, Wade, and Bosh, look to be having the last laugh because this team is going to be very good for a very long time.

Will LeBron be as great as Jordan? Who knows; but I do know one thing. He’s on a mission to win that first ring and the next great basketball dynasty looks to be starting. Who cares how they were assembled, what will be remembered is what they are able to do on the court. If other teams don’t like it, do something about it. BEAT THEM!

Email: matthew.parrino@ubspectrum.com

Lakers Face Pivotal Summer

The end was in sight when the Los Angeles Lakers struggled early this season. Nothing lasts forever, and by the look on Phil Jackson’s face after his team was eliminated via sweep for the first time in his storied career, he knew this chapter of the Lakers dynasty has come to an end.

There are several questions facing Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak this offseason, maybe none as pressing as how to revamp the aging roster. The following is a list of players that are slated to return next season for the Lake Show.

• KOBE BRYANT – $25.2 Million
• PAU GASOL – $18.7 Million
• ANDREW BYNUM – $15.2 Million
• LAMAR ODOM – $8.9 Million
• RON ARTEST – $6.8 Million
• LUKE WALTON – $5.7 Million
• STEVE BLAKE – $4 Million
• DEREK FISHER – $3.4 Million
• SHANNON BROWN – $2.4 Million (Player Option)
• MATT BARNES – $1.9 Million (Player Option)

Immediately following the Lakers loss on Sunday, media members across the land started the Dwight Howard to Los Angeles campaign, and while Howard is under contract for at least one more season in Orlando, this might not be out of the realm of possibility.

Something was off with Gasol in the playoffs and, while his stats don’t necessarily indicate a bad regular season, he’s seemed preoccupied all year long. It came out after the game on Sunday that he’s been dealing with a personal situation with his girlfriend all year and it’s affected his play.

I understand that guys are going to have off-the-court issues from time to time, but give me a break. If I was Lakers owner Jerry Buss, Gasol would be on the first plane out of LA.

Howard will make $17.9 million next season and if he wants out of Orlanda (i.e. Carmelo Anthony), I’m sure something can be worked out. The last time Kobe had someone as talented as Howard playing beside him (SHAQ), we all know what happened. Additionally, teaming up with young Andrew Bynum would create the scariest “twin tower” combination in NBA history. The sheer athleticism of the duo would strike fear into every opponent they suited up against.

While on the topic of Bynum, he’s the second best center in the league when healthy and will be the cornerstone of the franchise for years to come. His foul on Mavericks point guard J.J. Barea is getting a great deal of publicity, but I don’t understand why everyone has such a big problem with the foul.

Barea torched the Lakers all series and Bynum got fed up with it and gave him a reason to think twice before coming back in the paint. I think it should have come as early as game two.

The Lakers need a point guard. Fisher is at the end of his career and he was almost invisible against Dallas. Blake is an acceptable back up, but he shouldn’t be playing more than eight minutes a game. LA needs a point guard that can guide the team in the half court but also be able to push the pace when the team needs to run a bit. The Lakers offense was stagnant in the half court and they need to get younger at three of the five starting spots.

The biggest mistake the team has made in recent years was allowing Trevor Ariza to leave to go to New Orleans. His defense against Kobe in the first round was unbelievable and the Lakers wouldn’t have to find a new small forward this offseason had they kept him.

It’s time to move on from Artest. He was useless against the Mavs and his defense is starting to deteriorate as he gets older. Caron Butler and Shane Battier are both unrestricted free agents and would fit in nicely in LA.

The next head coach in LA is an important decision for Kupchak. If the team goes with longtime assistant and former player Brian Shaw, it is taking a huge risk considering he’s never been a head coach. But it could be rewarding if he is the next great young coach in the NBA.

The offseason will be interesting in Hollywood, but one thing is for certain; changes have to made and they have to be big. The window of championship opportunity is rapidly closing on Kobe and company.

@Matt_Parrino

NBA Fantasy Mock Draft

While watching the Miami-Boston game tonight, I got to thinking: if the NBA stripped every team of every player tomorrow, what would the mock draft look like to realign the teams. Everyone will have his opinion for each pick, but in honor of draft week in the NFL last week, I thought I’d put together my list and remember, the draft takes into account the age of the player’s.

1. Dwyane Wade – This may shock a lot of people, but I don’t know of a player that possesses every quality that a star should have like D-Wade. He can handle like a point guard, play in the post better than any guard in the league, and his quickness and defense is the best in the league at his position. Wade gets to the basket and scores better than anyone in the game. His ball moves are better than any point guard in the league today, and some of the best of all time. (Iverson-esque) If you look back through the career of Wade, you’ll find that he is as clutch as anyone when it matters most. He’s willing to take the final shot and has delivered in game-changing conditions.
2. Derrick Rose – This was a tough decision. There were a handful of guys that one can argue would be second of the board, but for me, nobody is more deserving than D-Rose. In only his third season, the former Memphis Tiger has just won his first MVP award and I believe we haven’t seen anything yet. His quickness up court and to the basket is the best at his position. He’s un-guardable at times and at only 22 years old, will be a headache for opposing coaches for many years to come. Oh, and he seems to be getting better and better each game.

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3. LeBron James – I actually had Durant penciled in here but changed my mind at the last second. LeBron hasn’t yet proven to be able to deliver a championship but his talent and ability is undeniable. He can score from anywhere on the court and his motivation to become a multiple champion is something teams are looking for now a days. He is one of the best defensive players in the NBA, and that wasn’t always the case. He creates for teammates and makes everyone on the court better, which I don’t think Durant has as big an effect on his teammates.
4. Kevin Durant – The youngest player ever to win back-to-back scoring titles is only starting to figure things out. He’s a matchup nightmare and he is the best jump shooter in the league other than Dirk Nowitzki in my opinion. He is starting to develop in terms of toughness and leadership but still has room for improvement in those areas. He’ll win an NBA Championship before it’s all said and done.
5. Blake Griffin – “The Human Highlight Reel” has taken the NBA by storm and his age and freakish athleticism make him a lock to be the first big man off the board. The scary part about Griffin is that he’s just learning how to play the game at the NBA level. Give it a year or two, and he’ll be the most dominating force in the league, as long as he stays healthy. I think he makes everyone around him want to play better as was evident when he revived the career of Baron Davis and made Eric Gordon one of the top two-guards in the league.
6.  Kobe Bryant – I think he’s got enough left in the tank to continue wreaking havoc on opposing defenders for the next five or six seasons if he stays healthy.  There’s not another guy in the league that can deliver the dagger like “The Black Mamba” and his will to win is second to none.
7. Amar’e Stoudemire – The most explosive big man around the basket in the half court, STAT is in his prime and is an offensive juggernaut. His defense is always the part of his game that his critics highlight, but he has improved it since arriving in New York. The way he led the Knicks before the arrival of ‘Melo proves his worth and his ability to be a franchise man.
8. Chris Paul – The best pure point guard in the league, and all I can say about his performance against the Lakers is… WOW. The guy has nobody else in New Orleans and he just simply plays the game the right way, He makes it seem effortless and is one of the toughest guys in the league to cover. If he had a scorer to deliver the ball to, he would be a top three player. I love his personality and the leadership he has displayed even without an efficient supporting cast.
9. Dwight Howard – If I could drop him any lower I would, but his physical gifts are undeniable. He played great this year in the playoffs but it wasn’t enough to get his Magic out of the first round. My biggest issue with “Superman” is that at his size, he should be the most unstoppable force in the game, and he just simply is not. He doesn’t strike fear into anyone and unlike Shaq in his day, he doesn’t dominate a game like a man of his size and athletic ability should.
10.  Carmelo Anthony – I feel like ‘Melo is the least attractive player out of the upper echelon group of superstars. He isn’t a leader in my eyes and he doesn’t really make his teammates better. If anything, his presence made Amar’e less effective in New York after the mid-season trade. With that said, his talent is undeniable. He is one of the best scorers in the league and some of his big point performances in his career have been sensational. I just think when it comes to the superstars of the league; he’s picked last because of his lack of passing ability and vocal leadership prowess.
11. Kevin Love – The best rebounder in the NBA had a breakout season this year and he is still developing. I watched him about 10 times this season and every time I left with a dropped jaw at his consistent ability to be in position and to locate the basketball. His jump shot is no joke either and as the years go by, his offensive game will continue to flourish, making him one of the best players in the NBA.
12. Zach Randolph – If you didn’t see this guy coming you either need glasses or you didn’t watch the Grizzlies play this season. “Z-bo” was third in the league in rebounding and this season and has been an absolute dynamo in the postseason. He’s not a youngster, but he plays the game with passion and seems to have a renewed outlook on life and basketball. He is a fit on the offensive end and can score in a variety of creative ways.
13. Russell Westbrook – Maybe the fastest player in the NBA, Westbrook is another guy that’s had a breakout year this season. There are concerns about his shot selection and his youth sometimes is evident when he starts playing with frustration, but that will subside as he continues to develop and understand how to play the game. He is so energetic and really plays the game with a lot of passion and he will only get better.
14. Dirk Nowitzki – This was a tough call but I think Dirk still deserves to be this high. He hasn’t shown many signs of slowing down and he’ll only be 31 years old this year. His game shouldn’t digress too much as he gets older and his jump shot is lethal. He brings playoff experience and is a serious matchup problem for opposing teams.
15. Deron Williams – I think he’s become the forgotten man in the NBA, but D-Will is a talented player. He can score, pass, defend, and has been a clutch player in his six-year career. When healthy and at only 26 years old, Williams is the third best point guard in the NBA and a franchise player.
16. LaMarcus Aldridge – One of the best young power forwards in the game, Aldridge is really starting to come into his own. His jumper is consistent and he can make it from almost any spot on the floor. I think he needs to develop more of a killer instinct and demand the ball a bit more, but he has gotten better every year in the league.
17. Monta Ellis – One of the most talented young scorers in the league, Monta could be great in the right situation. I’m still amazed at how effective he is and the things he’s able to do on the basketball floor when I watch him. His size is somewhat of a disadvantage because bigger two’s tend to give him trouble, but his upside is through the roof if paired with a talented big.
18. Andrew Bogut – This guy is just figuring out how good he is and at only 26 years old, he’s still going to improve. Bogut led the league in blocked shots this season and was sixth in rebounding. If he can stay healthy, he’s the second best center in a league that puts a premium on the position.
19. Rajon Rondo – Not my favorite player, but he is certainly a commodity. It would be interested to see how good he could be without the assistance of three future Hall of Famers. His combination of speed and decision-making makes him unstoppable at times and he makes everyone around him better.
20. Joe Johnson – I think Johnson is finally starting to become the player everyone thought he was going to be. He’s a great regular season player but he is now starting to shine under the playoff lights. He’s turning 30 this summer but he still has enough left to interest teams.
21. Chris Bosh – He probably could’ve gone a little higher but his reputation for playing soft forced me to drop him a bit. His offensive skills are solid and he has developed into a reliable defensive player. His jumper is pretty consistent and can score around the bucket.
22.  Danny Granger – I think Granger is one of the best second-tier superstars in the league. Like Aldridge though, he still needs to be tougher mentally and demand the ball more. He’s just coming into his prime and his abilities on both ends of the floor really separate him from the rest.
23. Pau Gasol – He’s not getting any younger, but Pau Gasol is still an elite big man in this league. When he’s feeling offensively, nobody can guard him. His rebounding is solid but I think he’s benefitted from playing alongside Andrew Bynum a bit.
24. Tyreke Evans – He only played in 57 games this season but the rookie season Evans turned in is enough to place him here. He is a great offensive player and at only 21 years old, he’s going to be really good sooner rather than later.
25. Josh Smith – Probably the most athletic player in the NBA, Smith is a force on the boards and on the defensive end. He’s taken great strides offensively over the course of his career and he’s still only 25 years old and has a ton of upside.
26. Kevin Martin – Not a huge fan of Martin because I think he’s one-dimensional, but he has a ton of talent. He is a lights out shooter but I haven’t really watched him enough to comment on his defensive ability.
27. Brandon Roy – The only reason he’s this far down on the list is because of the injury concerns, but Brandon Roy seemed to dispel concerns over his two injury prone knees with his performance in this years playoffs. He’s still only 26 years old and his size creates a matchup nightmare.
28. Eric Gordon – When healthy, Gordon is a tough cover. His offensive game is top notch and he is able to catch fire often. He’s still young and developing and he’ll continue to get better.
29. Rudy Gay – This guy is super talented. He can score, defend, and has a great feel for the game. He has to develop as a leader and he could be a better defender.
30. Andrew Bynum – I could have gone a bunch of directions here but I feel like Bynum’s age and potential are too much to pass on. He’s been a pro for six years and he’s still only 23 years old. The injury issues are concerning but he’s so talented. He will continue to grow and he’ll continue to be a matchup problem for opposing big men.

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31. Nene
32. Al Jefferson
33. Danilo Gallinari
34. Brook Lopez
35. Andrea Bargnani
36. John Wall
37. Stephen Curry
38. Joaqim Noah
39. Darren Collison
40. Serge Ibaka
41. OJ Mayo
42. Jameer Nelson
43. Paul Pierce
44. Manu Ginobili
45. Stephen Jackson
46. Carlos Boozer
47. Brandon Jennings
48. DeMarcus Cousins
49. Lamar Odom
50. Andre Iguodala