Despite the lack of high-end talent in this draft class, the overall strategy revolving positions on draft night won’t be a surprise. Unless a post player is of transcendent talent or projects to be a franchise cornerstone, it’s hard to see him getting drafted until late in the first round. During the last two years,…
By Adam Spinella
Adam is a TBW staff writer and college basketball coach at Dickinson College. He loves watching for offensive schemes while specializing in individual skill development, shooting technique and coach-speak. Born in New Hampshire, Adam grew up as a Celtics fan but now claims to just love "good basketball", which does not include mid-range jumpers.
Charlotte Hornets Have Something Really Interesting with PJ Washington
Powerful and poised, the playmaking prowess of PJ Washington propelled him to a pleasant professional debut. Washington was a top-six prospect on our TBW 2019 Draft Board because of his ready-made physicality, ability to defend the 4 or the 5, strong passing chops and shooting upside. He went back to Kentucky for a sophomore season…
2020 NBA Draft: The Wild Cards
We all know the phrase: high risk, high reward. Like many aspects in real life, there are decisions that an NBA general manager can make to live on the wild side. They’ll swing for the fences on a prospect with tantalizing upside and clear, plausible downside. These prospects are polarizing and likely have a wide…
2020 NBA Draft: LaMelo Ball, RJ Hampton & the NBL
Over the last three weeks, I’ve watched about 15 NBL games in preparation for the 2020 NBA Draft. Two top prospects, LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton, moved across the world to play there and prepare themselves for next year. While they spurned the typical college process, very little about their seasons and experiences were similar.…
Cam Reddish’s Rookie Year Was Better Than You Think
Eight NBA teams will not be joining their counterparts in “The Disney Bubble” as the league reboots. Their offseason has already begun. As these franchises go forward, attention shifts to wholistic changes, themes and building blocks. Young players with the ability to become a foundation are the most pivotal to develop, and the marriage between…
How Cleveland Cavaliers Can Maximize Darius Garland
Basketball’s imminent return has brought focus onto the 22 franchises entering the Disney bubble. But for the eight who do not travel to Orlando, the formal debriefing can already begin. As they both peek back and gaze forward, attention gets paid to wholistic changes, themes and foundational building blocks. Young players with the ability to…
2020 NBA Draft: 4 Inherent Biases in How I Evaluate Players
Earlier this spring, I wrote a piece on Tyrese Maxey as a draft prospect, focusing on his lack of 3-point shooting as a reason for my pessimism when considering him as a future NBA player. The article was framed through the lens of my bias towards shooters. From there, several conversations about bias have come…
Basketball Fans Must Express Their Support Beyond the Court
Sports have rightfully taken a backseat to the voices of many millions calling for social change. As demonstrations and protests continue after the horrific death of George Floyd, we are reminded by our black brothers and sisters that his is just one of so, so many lives extinguished by protected hatred in the United States.…
2020 NBA Draft: Upside Should Win Out with James Wiseman
Three games is all James Wiseman got during this college career at the University of Memphis. The NCAA ruled him ineligible early in the season in a complex and unfair situation where head coach Penny Hardaway allegedly acted improperly in getting Wiseman’s family to move to Memphis. The young center’s college career ended, and he…
It’s Time for Bold Experimentation in the NBA’s Return
As each day goes by, we appear closer to an NBA return. Over the weekend, the league’s resident bomb-droppers Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowksi both reported progress towards the securing of a neutral, safe site for return to play. While the nuts and bolts still need to be outlined, there are many avenues on the…