On this date in 1984, the Chicago Bulls signed their 1st-round pick, Michael Jordan to his first professional contract. Jordan reportedly made about $600,000 as a rookie. **Jordan is one of three players in NBA history to win at least 5 MVP awards and 5 NBA titles, joined by only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell. [Read more…]
TOO MANY THREE-POINTERS: Love has shot more and more three-pointers in every season. Last season, 41.2% of his shots were three-pointers. His percentage of three-pointers has dramatically increased in every season. A corresponding statistic is that his average shot distance has increased in every season as well, and his more than doubled what it was in his rookie season. [Read more…]
Dwyane Wade’s PER and Offensive Reb Pct have declined in 3 straight seasons. His effective field goal percentage took a 12.3% nosedive from the previous season. Defensively, his block and steal rates were the lowest of his career. Can Wade bounce back from this decline and return to an elite level or will we continue to see Wade fade? [Read more…]
Happy 41st birthday to Ben Wallace, the best undrafted player in NBA history. Wallace is one of three undrafted players in NBA history to make an All-Star team (Brad Miller, John Starks). Wallace made four All-Star teams, making him the most decorated undrafted player ever (Miller – 2, Starks – 1). [Read more…]
STRENGTHS: RANGE: Morris is the ultimate stretch-four. His average shot distance was 12.5 feet last season, which means he can shoot from about anywhere. [Read more…]
THE BEST OF THE BEST: On June 25, the Hornets drafted Frank Kaminsky with the 9th overall selection in the 2015 NBA draft. Later in the offseason, Charlotte added free agent Tyler Hansbrough. The duo will join Larry Johnson (1990-91) as the only Naismith award winners to play for the Hornets. And there are also two more in the front office. Hornets Naismith Award Winners Role 2014-15 Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin Current Player 2007-08 Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina Current Player 1990-91 Larry Johnson, UNLV Former Player 1984-85
WELCOME HOME FRED: The Bulls will open the 2015-16 season with Fred Hoiberg taking the head coaching reigns. He is one of 14 current head coaches to have played in the NBA. Hoiberg, Jeff Hornacek (PHX), Doc Rivers (LAC), Byron Scott (LAL) and Scott Skiles (ORL) are the only coaches who played for the team they currently coach. Playing and Coaching for Current Team Active NBA Coaches Games Played Fred Hoiberg, CHI 247 Jeff Hornacek, PHX 468 Doc Rivers, LAC 59 Byron Scott, LAL
AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY: Last season, 91 players that played in the NBA went undrafted, accounting for 19% of the league. Mavericks free agent signee Wesley Matthews was the highest scoring of those players and is on track to join John Starks, Ben Wallace and Brad Miller as the only undrafted players ever to become All-Stars. Highest Scoring Undrafted Players 2014-15 Season PPG Wesley Matthews, POR< 15.9 Robert Covington, PHI 13.5 Langston Galloway, NY 11.8 <signed with DAL as free agent A