Tuesday, April 08, 2008
10 Shining Moments
In the aftermath of a great title game that redeemed a largely boring NCAA tournament, here is my list of the top ten individual performers for the fortnight (plus a week).
10. Antonio Anderson, SG, Memphis - You won't be surprised to hear that the list is heavy on players from teams that progressed furthest (farthest? why don't I know English?) in the tournament. Anderson was the unsung hero for Memphis, the best team over the course of the tournament. Though his offensive numbers were healthy (10 points, 5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1 turnover per game), he was the best defensive player in the tournament. In three successive games, he blanketed three All-American-caliber guards -- Drew Neitzel, D.J. Augustin and Darren Collison. Those three, who average a combined 47.6 points per game, were held to a total of 24 points on 7 for 35 shooting. And a large number of those 24 points were scored during a furious Texas rally where Anderson really wasn't covering Augustin. He (and the entire Memphis team) really dominated most of his games defensively. NBA prospects: Anderson can find a place on an NBA team by focusing on his defense and 3 point shooting (currently 33%). I can see him being a slightly poorer man's version of Stacy Augmon.
9. Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia - Alexander was the chief architect for what many fans would consider to be the most satisfying upset of the tournament, West Virginia's disposal of Duke in the second round (though some would argue if it was even an upset). For the tournament, he averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds per game, including a 22 point, 11 rebound (and 3 block) performance in the aforementioned Duke game. Beyond that, he was West Virginia's undisputed leader -- as shown by the fact that his team fell apart after he fouled out in overtime against Xavier. Alexander left with WVU up by 3, but Xavier went on a 15-8 run in the final minutes to send the Mountaineers home. NBA prospects: Say hello to the NBDL, Joe. Alexander will be Pittsnogled.
8. Brook Lopez, C, Stanford - Lopez, whose parents apparently hate him and his brother, was very close to being the best big man in the tournament (for the best, see #3 below). After playing just 15 minutes an opening round blowout of Cornell (RIP, Big Red), Lopez went for 56 against Marquette and Texas. That total is additionally impressive when considering the fact that he was basically the only offensive option on Stanford's team. He scored 8 of Stanford's 11 overtime points against Marquette, including the game winner with 3 seconds remaining. His point total would have been higher yet had Stanford coach Trent Johnson realized while playing Texas that Lopez should be touching the ball 3 out of every 4 trips down the court (at a minimum). NBA prospects: Lopez is more athletic and more coordinated then most people realize. Plus, he competes. While he won't be an All-Star, I can see him being an above average NBA starter for a long time.
7. Brandon Rush, SF, Kansas - Rush's ACL tear while playing a pickup game last June was one of the key factors contributing to Kansas' national championship. After the injury, Rush was forced to stay in school. With a full rehab, Rush returned to become the closest thing Kansas had to a go-to guy in the tournament. Rush averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds per game, including a 25 point outburst in the national semifinal win over UNC. He was also consistent, scoring at least 12 in each game. On almost any other college team, he would clearly be the best player, and average 18+ ppg. Kansas was just so loaded that he embraced the team, to everyone's benefit. NBA prospects: Despite his injury, Rush still is a great athlete. He has decent height (6-6), shoots well from deep (42%) and can handle the ball. I could see him making some All-Star teams down the road.
**Note** I need to insert a special recognition of Darrell Arthur, who, despite being a first team All Big 12 player and going for 20 and 10 last night, garnered nary a mention by any of the experts. His dominance over Joey Dorsey was what kept Kansas in the game.
6. Stephen Curry, SG, Davidson - This seems like a low ranking for Curry, but I find it hard to put him above others on the list. Everyone knows what he did, carrying Davidson to within a last minute three pointer of a Final Four birth. What I found most impressive, though, was the fact that he almost never seemed to play beyond the bounds of Davidson's offense, despite being public enemy number one of the opposing team. For the record, he scored 32 per game, shooting 46% from the field, 44% from three (on the way to setting an NCAA single season record for three pointers made), and 88% from the line. Plus, his mom... NBA prospects: He's small, but with that skill set, he'll find a role with some team. I see him being a sixth man for most of his career.
5. Tyler Hansborough, PF, UNC - I hate UNC. I particularly hate Hansborough. Just seeing his ugly game and his retarded celebration dances and listening to Jay Bilas verbally fellate him drives me crazy. So you know that Hansborough earned his spot on this list. Hansborough was good for 20 points and 9 rebounds per game, but what gets him this high was his performance against against Louisville, where he carried Carolina on his back via put-back dunks, old fashioned three point plays, and even a couple long distance jumpers. NBA prospects: Joe Kleine-lite. Or, as a colleague recently said, "If he'd like to appear on national TV again, he'll return for his senior season at UNC."
4. Mario Chalmers, PG/SG, Kansas - "Super Mario" (or, as I prefer, "Supernintendo Chalmers") was good all tournament, but great when it counted. In total, he averaged 15 points, 3 boards and 3 assists per game (after torching Texas for 30 in a great Big 12 championship game). Throughout the tournament, though, he stood out for his intuitive defense and quick hands, averaging 3 steals per game. But all Jayhawk fans will remember is the three from the top of the key, drifting to his left with Derrick Rose's hand in his face and the clock showing 3 seconds in the game. One of the greatest shots in NCAA history. NBA prospects: As with all of the Kansas players, it is difficult to judge how good they are because there was so much offensive talent on that team. Chalmers is small (6-1), but very quick. He shot 47% from deep for the year, and picked 2.5 pockets per game. My bet is that he'll find a way to stay on NBA rosters for awhile.
**How can the MVP of the Final Four come in at #4 on the list? Because 3 players performed better than he did (duh).**
3. Kevin Love, C, UCLA - The press goes absolutely berzerk for Love and his Color Me Badd beard (credit to the Sports Guy for the reference), but Love frankly backs it up with his play. To use a stupid term, he has about the best basketball I.Q. of any freshman I've ever seen. He can shoot, pass, rebound and block shots. He competes hard, and seems comfortable in tight situations. For the tournament, he averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks per game (including 7 blocks in a 2 point win over Texas A&M). He shot 57% from the field and 81% from the line. His most impressive moment of the tournament, though, came during a shootaround before the Xavier game. He stood flat-footed beyond the far endline and heaved a chest pass that swished through the net a mere 95 feet away. NBA prospects: I have no idea. He could be a stud perennial All-Star. He could be out of the league in 4 years (though I doubt it). I really don't know. His ability to shoot and pass should allow him to keep a job at the least. But if you see him trudging up and down the court at the end of a game, you have to wonder how he is going to handle an 82 game season against the best athletes in the world.
2. Chris Douglas-Roberts, SF, Memphis - CDR was the leader of the best team in the tournament. His herky-jerk offensive game netted more points than anyone in the tournament, at 23+ per game, which was complemented nicely by 4+ assists per game and more than a steal per game. Even in defeat, he dropped 22. When Memphis needed a bucket (which wasn't very often, as they were usually blowing teams out), he was good for one. He even upped his free throw percentage from 71% for the regular season to 81% in the tournament. Unfortunately, if he had shot 82% for the tournament, Memphis would be champions. NBA prospects: I just don't have a good feeling about CDR in the Association. Granted, he has size (6-7) and he can shoot from deep (41%). But how many successful NBA players are like him? His game is largely comprised of creative running one-handers from mid-range, sprinkled in with the occasional three. Who compares? Richard Hamilton? Manu Ginobli? Maybe I just changed my mind on his prospects...
1. Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis - This dude was just a revelation in the tournament. The numbers (21 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and less than 2 turnovers per game) are eye-popping. But just watching him play leaves you more impressed. He's great with the ball, he runs the game incredibly well for a freshman, and he always plays in control. He also had two of the more impressive plays in the tournament: the first was a double-clutch dunk to finish a fast break against Texas where he took off, kept the ball low, let a defender fly by, hung in the air, and brought the ball up to dunk it. The second was in last night's game during a broken play where he received the ball while cutting down the lane, elevated, took a full collision from Mario Chalmers, gathered himself in the air, and still layed it in for a three point play. He would be a great finisher for a 6-8 senior small forward. As a 6-4 freshman point guard, he is incredible. NBA prospects: To quote Ben Stiller in Meet the Parents, his prospects are "strong ... to quite strong." He has everything. If there ever was a freshman who had no need for further college ball, this is it. He just needs to curb his gummy bears habit.
Honorable Mention: Scottie Reynolds, Villanova; Tyrone Brazelton, Western Kentucky; Darrell Arthur, Kansas; Michael Beasley, Kansas State; A.J. Abrams, Texas; Jerel McNeal, Marquette; Wayne Ellington, UNC; Christian Laettner, Duke
10. Antonio Anderson, SG, Memphis - You won't be surprised to hear that the list is heavy on players from teams that progressed furthest (farthest? why don't I know English?) in the tournament. Anderson was the unsung hero for Memphis, the best team over the course of the tournament. Though his offensive numbers were healthy (10 points, 5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1 turnover per game), he was the best defensive player in the tournament. In three successive games, he blanketed three All-American-caliber guards -- Drew Neitzel, D.J. Augustin and Darren Collison. Those three, who average a combined 47.6 points per game, were held to a total of 24 points on 7 for 35 shooting. And a large number of those 24 points were scored during a furious Texas rally where Anderson really wasn't covering Augustin. He (and the entire Memphis team) really dominated most of his games defensively. NBA prospects: Anderson can find a place on an NBA team by focusing on his defense and 3 point shooting (currently 33%). I can see him being a slightly poorer man's version of Stacy Augmon.
9. Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia - Alexander was the chief architect for what many fans would consider to be the most satisfying upset of the tournament, West Virginia's disposal of Duke in the second round (though some would argue if it was even an upset). For the tournament, he averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds per game, including a 22 point, 11 rebound (and 3 block) performance in the aforementioned Duke game. Beyond that, he was West Virginia's undisputed leader -- as shown by the fact that his team fell apart after he fouled out in overtime against Xavier. Alexander left with WVU up by 3, but Xavier went on a 15-8 run in the final minutes to send the Mountaineers home. NBA prospects: Say hello to the NBDL, Joe. Alexander will be Pittsnogled.
8. Brook Lopez, C, Stanford - Lopez, whose parents apparently hate him and his brother, was very close to being the best big man in the tournament (for the best, see #3 below). After playing just 15 minutes an opening round blowout of Cornell (RIP, Big Red), Lopez went for 56 against Marquette and Texas. That total is additionally impressive when considering the fact that he was basically the only offensive option on Stanford's team. He scored 8 of Stanford's 11 overtime points against Marquette, including the game winner with 3 seconds remaining. His point total would have been higher yet had Stanford coach Trent Johnson realized while playing Texas that Lopez should be touching the ball 3 out of every 4 trips down the court (at a minimum). NBA prospects: Lopez is more athletic and more coordinated then most people realize. Plus, he competes. While he won't be an All-Star, I can see him being an above average NBA starter for a long time.
7. Brandon Rush, SF, Kansas - Rush's ACL tear while playing a pickup game last June was one of the key factors contributing to Kansas' national championship. After the injury, Rush was forced to stay in school. With a full rehab, Rush returned to become the closest thing Kansas had to a go-to guy in the tournament. Rush averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds per game, including a 25 point outburst in the national semifinal win over UNC. He was also consistent, scoring at least 12 in each game. On almost any other college team, he would clearly be the best player, and average 18+ ppg. Kansas was just so loaded that he embraced the team, to everyone's benefit. NBA prospects: Despite his injury, Rush still is a great athlete. He has decent height (6-6), shoots well from deep (42%) and can handle the ball. I could see him making some All-Star teams down the road.
**Note** I need to insert a special recognition of Darrell Arthur, who, despite being a first team All Big 12 player and going for 20 and 10 last night, garnered nary a mention by any of the experts. His dominance over Joey Dorsey was what kept Kansas in the game.
6. Stephen Curry, SG, Davidson - This seems like a low ranking for Curry, but I find it hard to put him above others on the list. Everyone knows what he did, carrying Davidson to within a last minute three pointer of a Final Four birth. What I found most impressive, though, was the fact that he almost never seemed to play beyond the bounds of Davidson's offense, despite being public enemy number one of the opposing team. For the record, he scored 32 per game, shooting 46% from the field, 44% from three (on the way to setting an NCAA single season record for three pointers made), and 88% from the line. Plus, his mom... NBA prospects: He's small, but with that skill set, he'll find a role with some team. I see him being a sixth man for most of his career.
5. Tyler Hansborough, PF, UNC - I hate UNC. I particularly hate Hansborough. Just seeing his ugly game and his retarded celebration dances and listening to Jay Bilas verbally fellate him drives me crazy. So you know that Hansborough earned his spot on this list. Hansborough was good for 20 points and 9 rebounds per game, but what gets him this high was his performance against against Louisville, where he carried Carolina on his back via put-back dunks, old fashioned three point plays, and even a couple long distance jumpers. NBA prospects: Joe Kleine-lite. Or, as a colleague recently said, "If he'd like to appear on national TV again, he'll return for his senior season at UNC."
4. Mario Chalmers, PG/SG, Kansas - "Super Mario" (or, as I prefer, "Supernintendo Chalmers") was good all tournament, but great when it counted. In total, he averaged 15 points, 3 boards and 3 assists per game (after torching Texas for 30 in a great Big 12 championship game). Throughout the tournament, though, he stood out for his intuitive defense and quick hands, averaging 3 steals per game. But all Jayhawk fans will remember is the three from the top of the key, drifting to his left with Derrick Rose's hand in his face and the clock showing 3 seconds in the game. One of the greatest shots in NCAA history. NBA prospects: As with all of the Kansas players, it is difficult to judge how good they are because there was so much offensive talent on that team. Chalmers is small (6-1), but very quick. He shot 47% from deep for the year, and picked 2.5 pockets per game. My bet is that he'll find a way to stay on NBA rosters for awhile.
**How can the MVP of the Final Four come in at #4 on the list? Because 3 players performed better than he did (duh).**
3. Kevin Love, C, UCLA - The press goes absolutely berzerk for Love and his Color Me Badd beard (credit to the Sports Guy for the reference), but Love frankly backs it up with his play. To use a stupid term, he has about the best basketball I.Q. of any freshman I've ever seen. He can shoot, pass, rebound and block shots. He competes hard, and seems comfortable in tight situations. For the tournament, he averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks per game (including 7 blocks in a 2 point win over Texas A&M). He shot 57% from the field and 81% from the line. His most impressive moment of the tournament, though, came during a shootaround before the Xavier game. He stood flat-footed beyond the far endline and heaved a chest pass that swished through the net a mere 95 feet away. NBA prospects: I have no idea. He could be a stud perennial All-Star. He could be out of the league in 4 years (though I doubt it). I really don't know. His ability to shoot and pass should allow him to keep a job at the least. But if you see him trudging up and down the court at the end of a game, you have to wonder how he is going to handle an 82 game season against the best athletes in the world.
2. Chris Douglas-Roberts, SF, Memphis - CDR was the leader of the best team in the tournament. His herky-jerk offensive game netted more points than anyone in the tournament, at 23+ per game, which was complemented nicely by 4+ assists per game and more than a steal per game. Even in defeat, he dropped 22. When Memphis needed a bucket (which wasn't very often, as they were usually blowing teams out), he was good for one. He even upped his free throw percentage from 71% for the regular season to 81% in the tournament. Unfortunately, if he had shot 82% for the tournament, Memphis would be champions. NBA prospects: I just don't have a good feeling about CDR in the Association. Granted, he has size (6-7) and he can shoot from deep (41%). But how many successful NBA players are like him? His game is largely comprised of creative running one-handers from mid-range, sprinkled in with the occasional three. Who compares? Richard Hamilton? Manu Ginobli? Maybe I just changed my mind on his prospects...
1. Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis - This dude was just a revelation in the tournament. The numbers (21 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and less than 2 turnovers per game) are eye-popping. But just watching him play leaves you more impressed. He's great with the ball, he runs the game incredibly well for a freshman, and he always plays in control. He also had two of the more impressive plays in the tournament: the first was a double-clutch dunk to finish a fast break against Texas where he took off, kept the ball low, let a defender fly by, hung in the air, and brought the ball up to dunk it. The second was in last night's game during a broken play where he received the ball while cutting down the lane, elevated, took a full collision from Mario Chalmers, gathered himself in the air, and still layed it in for a three point play. He would be a great finisher for a 6-8 senior small forward. As a 6-4 freshman point guard, he is incredible. NBA prospects: To quote Ben Stiller in Meet the Parents, his prospects are "strong ... to quite strong." He has everything. If there ever was a freshman who had no need for further college ball, this is it. He just needs to curb his gummy bears habit.
Honorable Mention: Scottie Reynolds, Villanova; Tyrone Brazelton, Western Kentucky; Darrell Arthur, Kansas; Michael Beasley, Kansas State; A.J. Abrams, Texas; Jerel McNeal, Marquette; Wayne Ellington, UNC; Christian Laettner, Duke
Labels: March Madness, NCAA
# posted by Big Thunder @ 4:03 PM 
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I completely agree on Arthur -- 20 points and 10 boards will get MOP votes in most cases. Plus, he held Dorsey to just two rebounds after Dorsey had 15 against UCLA. (That is, if someone can hold someone else down rebound-wise.)
And good call as well on the 1-2. Kansas won all year by having a great team but not great individuals. I would have put Curry at No. 2 but it's hard to argue considering the results -- no two players improved their draft stock more than CDR and especially Rose, who now is in consideration to go No. 1 over Beasley.
Also, a question for the Meaters. I can't verify this anywhere, but wasn't Douglas-Roberts the Memphis freshman who in some game guaranteed to the opposing team that he would knock down the free throws to beat them, and then missed both? I remember this being a big deal at the time but no one brought it up as he choked yesterday, so maybe it wasn't him.
Also, maybe choke is unfair. Those missed free throws may have had something to do with fatigue, and credit Rush for that.
And good call as well on the 1-2. Kansas won all year by having a great team but not great individuals. I would have put Curry at No. 2 but it's hard to argue considering the results -- no two players improved their draft stock more than CDR and especially Rose, who now is in consideration to go No. 1 over Beasley.
Also, a question for the Meaters. I can't verify this anywhere, but wasn't Douglas-Roberts the Memphis freshman who in some game guaranteed to the opposing team that he would knock down the free throws to beat them, and then missed both? I remember this being a big deal at the time but no one brought it up as he choked yesterday, so maybe it wasn't him.
Also, maybe choke is unfair. Those missed free throws may have had something to do with fatigue, and credit Rush for that.
You might be thinking of Darius Washington, the Memphis PG who as a freshman had the chance to win the Conference USA tournament with literally no time left on the clock if he hit 3 free throws (2 to tie, obviously), and he made the first and missed the next two... Memphis missed the tournament as a result.
He declared after his sophomore season, went undrafted, and is playing in Greece right now.
I was thinking it would be an interesting exercise to look at the "what if they stayed" teams for the final four. So Brenden Wright would be at UNC, Julian Wright at Kansas, Washington at Memphis, Afflalo (I think) at UCLA and others...
He declared after his sophomore season, went undrafted, and is playing in Greece right now.
I was thinking it would be an interesting exercise to look at the "what if they stayed" teams for the final four. So Brenden Wright would be at UNC, Julian Wright at Kansas, Washington at Memphis, Afflalo (I think) at UCLA and others...
OK, I just looked a bit.
Memphis:
Washington (above) would be a Senior; Shawne Williams (Pacers) would be a junior
Kansas:
Julian Wright (Hornets) would be a Junior
UNC:
Brandan Wright (Warriors) would be a Sophomore; Marvin Williams (Hawks) would be a Senior (!). That's a reasonably strong front line.
UCLA:
Arron Afflalo (Pistons) would be a Senior; Jordan Farmar (Lakers) would be a Senior
Memphis:
Washington (above) would be a Senior; Shawne Williams (Pacers) would be a junior
Kansas:
Julian Wright (Hornets) would be a Junior
UNC:
Brandan Wright (Warriors) would be a Sophomore; Marvin Williams (Hawks) would be a Senior (!). That's a reasonably strong front line.
UCLA:
Arron Afflalo (Pistons) would be a Senior; Jordan Farmar (Lakers) would be a Senior
I have one argument with this list, and thats the placement of Curry, and I know everyone is on the Curry bandwagon, but if you rate individual performances, his has to be considered #2. Mainly because your list comprises individual performances. Curry literally beat the Zags, Hoyas, and Badgers, for the most part by himself and gave the Wildcats a late lead against the eventual champs Kansas.
The limited support to at best #2 scorer by committee on his team just shows how much Curry's performance really was. Some will argue that on such an undermanned team, it wouldn't be unusual to see one player with a really good stat line. True as that maybe, how many other players can we say would score 32 a game and lead their team so far.
1. Rose
2. Chalmers
3. Curry
The limited support to at best #2 scorer by committee on his team just shows how much Curry's performance really was. Some will argue that on such an undermanned team, it wouldn't be unusual to see one player with a really good stat line. True as that maybe, how many other players can we say would score 32 a game and lead their team so far.
1. Rose
2. Chalmers
3. Curry
Curry was certainly incredible. You'll get no argument from me there. Part of his ranking at #6 is that I'm basing it on a cumulative performance, so for example Chalmers' 6 games were better in total than Curry's 4 (wow, is this ever an inexact measure anyhow). 3 of the top 5 played two more games than Curry, and the other 2 played one game more than Curry.
Also, you don't know how the others would have done in a situation similar to Curry's -- you can't convince me that Hansborough or Chalmers wouldn't have averaged 30 per game if surrounded by the Davidson supporting cast.
But the bottom line is that I consider #2 through #6 on the list virtually interchangeable. There is not much of a difference between those 5 performances...
Also, you don't know how the others would have done in a situation similar to Curry's -- you can't convince me that Hansborough or Chalmers wouldn't have averaged 30 per game if surrounded by the Davidson supporting cast.
But the bottom line is that I consider #2 through #6 on the list virtually interchangeable. There is not much of a difference between those 5 performances...
I would love to chime in here, but did not watch much of the tournament and know dick about this. See me brackets, a lot of red scratches.
All I have to say is LETS GO DEVILS!
Oh, and I am pupmed for the Masters.
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All I have to say is LETS GO DEVILS!
Oh, and I am pupmed for the Masters.
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