Post by Akomplice on Oct 25, 2011 22:31:11 GMT -5
Horace Walker
PF 6'4'' 213 25 A- C C- A B+ B
Horace is a player with shooting guard skills with the strength of a power forward, capable of playing three positions but he is really finding his niche this year at the power forward spot. In his fourth season in the league Walker has seen his overall game steadily improve over the years, no longer a liability on the offensive end. Walker is averaging 3.7 blocks a game and while those numbers are nice we wonder how much dominating he can be when playing a more natural position at small forward, a 6'4 power forward doesn't happen everyday. Walker can help any team in the league thanks to not only his shot blocking, but his overall defense. He is really learning how to play the offensive side of the ball better as well, he is shooting 43% from the field while not exactly impressive his free throw shooting has improved every year meaning his shot is getting better. He can also create a couple of steals a game quite easily as well, either way you slice it Walker will be getting a max from some team this offseason.
Bob Petit
C 6'9'' 220 31 A- C C- A A B
Petit has always been a great player, however in this contract year he is coming out in epic proportions. Where just about half way done this season and he finds himself among the leaders in scoring and rebounding. Over the past few years he has been a 25 point scorer playing power forward for the Magic but this year playing center for the Knicks not only has his defense improved but his scoring is up around 32 points a game. Petit might be a bit older than you would like, but at the age of 31 he is proving that he is one of the most valuable players in the entire league. Considering last year the Magic were trying to trade him, it's amazing he didn't have that many suitors after him. When looking around the league there aren't many centers better than him, if at all with the way he is playing this year. It's hard to imagine him walking away from this Knicks team but he will be getting a max.
Jerry Lucas
PF 6'9'' 239 23 A- C C A- A B
Capable of playing either power forward or center, that really adds to the value that Lucas can bring to a team. While it wont matter money wise because he will receive a max, having that flexibility to playing him either spot comfortably is nice to have. The Rockets posses as potent of a four man punch as any team in the league and Lucas development has certainly placed them among the upper echelon teams in the league. Coming off a championship season Lucas didn't say satisfied, but rather went back to the gym to improve his game even more. He is scoring six more points than last year, two more boards a game and is now blocking 3.6 shots a game. Lucas will be one of the most coveted big man in this entire free agency. Having won a ring already in Houston will he want to take his talents elsewhere?
Lenny Wilkens
PG 6'1'' 183 26 C+ A- A- A- C A
Once part of the dynamic 1-2 punch along with Lucas, Wilkens was traded to the Bucks. Ever since coming to Milwaukee he was handed the starting job and hasn't looked back since. Every year he has improved his game to the point in which he is in the conversation of some of the best point guards in the league. Currently he is averaging 24-9-6-2.5 on the season, all career highs across the board. Wilkens on paper has the best back court that he could possibly have, he has an inside scoring beast in Dave and a very promising rookie in Jones. Wilkens will test a free agent market in which features a few veteran point guards but he will be the most sought after point guard in this years class. Wilkens has made it no secret that he feels that he deserves to be among the max point guards int he league, the dude wants his money.
Pickles Kennedy
PG 5'11'' 180 25 C A+ B+ B- D C
Pickles just like his name is surrounded by mystery. He was drafted at the end of the first round by the Hornets and they didn't expect much. However every training camp he would come in and really work his ass off to the point in which you had to take notice. With Smyth already at point guard the Nuggets paid a ransom for Pickles. A move showing that they have no interest in bringing back Jacquez Knight. Pickles in limited minutes thus far for the Nuggets is proving to be a dynamic sharp shooter, really someone you can't give a step to. Pickles really has no limit to his range. The question is can he run a team? Right now he is averaging 5.9 assists a game, so those stats suggest that he can, but will he be worth it at a max contract? They have to resign Horace Walker as well so Id expect them to bring both back but can they afford to give Pickles a max? Even if he can't I have a feeling he is going no where after the price paid for him.
York Larese
SG 6'4'' 186 25 B- A C- A- C C
This explosive shooting guard is one of those quiet players that get it done, you really don't hear much York ever since he went to Phoenix. York really has never seen a shot that he didn't think he can hit, guess what he is right. His percentages are impressive both inside and beyond the arc. Another player that has seen his scoring increase every year and his other facets of the game have remained solid across the board. York will be in the conversation of the most coveted shooting guards this offseason along with Willie Jones. The Suns are a team that's stuck in a rebuilding process and really can't afford to lose York in this offseason. York still has all his AC's left and can still improve on both ends of the floor. It will be interesting to see how much he wants to be in a rebuilding process when he can bolt at the end of the year.
Willie Jones
SG 6'3'' 185 27 B A- B A C+ B
Willie is probably the most sought after guard in this entire offseason, entering his prime and has a ton of playoff experience. Throughout the years ever since being traded from the Mavericks he has showcased a wide range of skills that people love. He has shown that he can excel from beyond the arc, he has shown the ability to grab rebounds at an impressive rate, he can be a go to scorer or a excellent second or third option. Either way you look at it Jones is one of the most complete free agents with time on his side. With a few other players testing free agency the Bulls will be forced to make a decision, though it seems inconceivable that they will let Jones walk. After CarrGate last offseason, the Bulls will have both Carr and Jackson locked up and Embry, Washington and Jones facing free agency.
Tanner Thompson
SF 6'5'' 213 32 B+ A B A C C
Tanner has been one the most impressive scorers over the past decade, still able to play some great basketball. Despite his age he has shown no signs of slowing down, however with his experience and age is it conceivable that he will get a six year max? The Nets won't get CY'ed from the pace that their winning games this year and with a team that is slowing getting up their in age will they take the chance to do a quick rebuild with Hondo and Shorty or resign Tanner and make another run at it?
Bob Sims
SG 6'5'' 229 25 B A- B+ A C+ B
Sims is one of the more intriguing names in this class to go along with Pickles. Sims was a player that kept getting better each year despite what the team thought they would be getting from him. Sims is the ideal point forward for any team in the league and has been playing shooting guard this year for the Spurs. I think with his handles he can really create some match up problems at the small forward spot. He hasn't been AC'ed yet and can still get a lot better if someone takes the time to do so. I'm sure a team will roll the dice and max him in this offseason, it will be interesting to see who pursues him.
Lee Shaffer
SF 6'7'' 221 24 A- C+ C B B B
Shaffer is like the no frills small forward in this league, just goes out there and gets the job done. He has a respectable three pointer, but you don't want him shooting them due to the fact that he does so much work inside the paint. Shaffer during his entire rookie contract has proved that he can be a consistent twenty point scorer while shooting at a great percentage. With averages of 22-7 for his career thus far it is conceivable that someone will throw a max at him as a back up back up plan, but six year max might be overpaying. However it's free agency, you always have to overpay if you want to land someone. Lee plays solid defense, though not exactly a stand out he will get you a steal a game though blocks are something to be desired. The Hornets have Russell, LaRusso already in the front court so Shaffer might not want to bolt but if he does test, the offers will be interesting.
PF 6'4'' 213 25 A- C C- A B+ B
Horace is a player with shooting guard skills with the strength of a power forward, capable of playing three positions but he is really finding his niche this year at the power forward spot. In his fourth season in the league Walker has seen his overall game steadily improve over the years, no longer a liability on the offensive end. Walker is averaging 3.7 blocks a game and while those numbers are nice we wonder how much dominating he can be when playing a more natural position at small forward, a 6'4 power forward doesn't happen everyday. Walker can help any team in the league thanks to not only his shot blocking, but his overall defense. He is really learning how to play the offensive side of the ball better as well, he is shooting 43% from the field while not exactly impressive his free throw shooting has improved every year meaning his shot is getting better. He can also create a couple of steals a game quite easily as well, either way you slice it Walker will be getting a max from some team this offseason.
Bob Petit
C 6'9'' 220 31 A- C C- A A B
Petit has always been a great player, however in this contract year he is coming out in epic proportions. Where just about half way done this season and he finds himself among the leaders in scoring and rebounding. Over the past few years he has been a 25 point scorer playing power forward for the Magic but this year playing center for the Knicks not only has his defense improved but his scoring is up around 32 points a game. Petit might be a bit older than you would like, but at the age of 31 he is proving that he is one of the most valuable players in the entire league. Considering last year the Magic were trying to trade him, it's amazing he didn't have that many suitors after him. When looking around the league there aren't many centers better than him, if at all with the way he is playing this year. It's hard to imagine him walking away from this Knicks team but he will be getting a max.
Jerry Lucas
PF 6'9'' 239 23 A- C C A- A B
Capable of playing either power forward or center, that really adds to the value that Lucas can bring to a team. While it wont matter money wise because he will receive a max, having that flexibility to playing him either spot comfortably is nice to have. The Rockets posses as potent of a four man punch as any team in the league and Lucas development has certainly placed them among the upper echelon teams in the league. Coming off a championship season Lucas didn't say satisfied, but rather went back to the gym to improve his game even more. He is scoring six more points than last year, two more boards a game and is now blocking 3.6 shots a game. Lucas will be one of the most coveted big man in this entire free agency. Having won a ring already in Houston will he want to take his talents elsewhere?
Lenny Wilkens
PG 6'1'' 183 26 C+ A- A- A- C A
Once part of the dynamic 1-2 punch along with Lucas, Wilkens was traded to the Bucks. Ever since coming to Milwaukee he was handed the starting job and hasn't looked back since. Every year he has improved his game to the point in which he is in the conversation of some of the best point guards in the league. Currently he is averaging 24-9-6-2.5 on the season, all career highs across the board. Wilkens on paper has the best back court that he could possibly have, he has an inside scoring beast in Dave and a very promising rookie in Jones. Wilkens will test a free agent market in which features a few veteran point guards but he will be the most sought after point guard in this years class. Wilkens has made it no secret that he feels that he deserves to be among the max point guards int he league, the dude wants his money.
Pickles Kennedy
PG 5'11'' 180 25 C A+ B+ B- D C
Pickles just like his name is surrounded by mystery. He was drafted at the end of the first round by the Hornets and they didn't expect much. However every training camp he would come in and really work his ass off to the point in which you had to take notice. With Smyth already at point guard the Nuggets paid a ransom for Pickles. A move showing that they have no interest in bringing back Jacquez Knight. Pickles in limited minutes thus far for the Nuggets is proving to be a dynamic sharp shooter, really someone you can't give a step to. Pickles really has no limit to his range. The question is can he run a team? Right now he is averaging 5.9 assists a game, so those stats suggest that he can, but will he be worth it at a max contract? They have to resign Horace Walker as well so Id expect them to bring both back but can they afford to give Pickles a max? Even if he can't I have a feeling he is going no where after the price paid for him.
York Larese
SG 6'4'' 186 25 B- A C- A- C C
This explosive shooting guard is one of those quiet players that get it done, you really don't hear much York ever since he went to Phoenix. York really has never seen a shot that he didn't think he can hit, guess what he is right. His percentages are impressive both inside and beyond the arc. Another player that has seen his scoring increase every year and his other facets of the game have remained solid across the board. York will be in the conversation of the most coveted shooting guards this offseason along with Willie Jones. The Suns are a team that's stuck in a rebuilding process and really can't afford to lose York in this offseason. York still has all his AC's left and can still improve on both ends of the floor. It will be interesting to see how much he wants to be in a rebuilding process when he can bolt at the end of the year.
Willie Jones
SG 6'3'' 185 27 B A- B A C+ B
Willie is probably the most sought after guard in this entire offseason, entering his prime and has a ton of playoff experience. Throughout the years ever since being traded from the Mavericks he has showcased a wide range of skills that people love. He has shown that he can excel from beyond the arc, he has shown the ability to grab rebounds at an impressive rate, he can be a go to scorer or a excellent second or third option. Either way you look at it Jones is one of the most complete free agents with time on his side. With a few other players testing free agency the Bulls will be forced to make a decision, though it seems inconceivable that they will let Jones walk. After CarrGate last offseason, the Bulls will have both Carr and Jackson locked up and Embry, Washington and Jones facing free agency.
Tanner Thompson
SF 6'5'' 213 32 B+ A B A C C
Tanner has been one the most impressive scorers over the past decade, still able to play some great basketball. Despite his age he has shown no signs of slowing down, however with his experience and age is it conceivable that he will get a six year max? The Nets won't get CY'ed from the pace that their winning games this year and with a team that is slowing getting up their in age will they take the chance to do a quick rebuild with Hondo and Shorty or resign Tanner and make another run at it?
Bob Sims
SG 6'5'' 229 25 B A- B+ A C+ B
Sims is one of the more intriguing names in this class to go along with Pickles. Sims was a player that kept getting better each year despite what the team thought they would be getting from him. Sims is the ideal point forward for any team in the league and has been playing shooting guard this year for the Spurs. I think with his handles he can really create some match up problems at the small forward spot. He hasn't been AC'ed yet and can still get a lot better if someone takes the time to do so. I'm sure a team will roll the dice and max him in this offseason, it will be interesting to see who pursues him.
Lee Shaffer
SF 6'7'' 221 24 A- C+ C B B B
Shaffer is like the no frills small forward in this league, just goes out there and gets the job done. He has a respectable three pointer, but you don't want him shooting them due to the fact that he does so much work inside the paint. Shaffer during his entire rookie contract has proved that he can be a consistent twenty point scorer while shooting at a great percentage. With averages of 22-7 for his career thus far it is conceivable that someone will throw a max at him as a back up back up plan, but six year max might be overpaying. However it's free agency, you always have to overpay if you want to land someone. Lee plays solid defense, though not exactly a stand out he will get you a steal a game though blocks are something to be desired. The Hornets have Russell, LaRusso already in the front court so Shaffer might not want to bolt but if he does test, the offers will be interesting.
