The Half Court Heave is a panel of four writers: Two Def Pen Hoops writers, myself, and the most chill dude I could find on Twitter to write a roundtable. Or mailbag. More like a panel. Something of that sort.
The goal of the Half Court Heave is to ask and answer the very pressing questions concerning this thing called basketball. Questions that pop up on the interwebs during the week – on Twitter, Reddit, Facebook and not Google Plus. And we’ll get them answered for you.
Yes, just for you.
Hot takes are welcome here. Welcome to the Third Edition of the Half Court Heave. (you can find the second edition here.)
This week’s edition of the Half Court Heave features some dope writers. Here’s who they are, what they do, and where you can block them for their horrendous takes.
Noah Torr: Noah is a daily news writer and editor here at Def Pen. He also writes for FanSided’s newsdesk. For only being 16 years old, he’s a damn good writer. (Also, he’s a Heat fan, which I didn’t know existed.) You follow him on Twitter @NoahTorr.
Daniel Villarreal: Dan is an editor here at Def Pen. He also runs the website Free Hand Basketball, where many writers get their foot in the blogging door. He will tell you Kawhi Leonard is a Hall of Famer. Yes, he is a Spurs fan. You can follow him on Twitter @myopinionsrloud.
Eric Fawcett – Eric is one of the funniest guys on the internet, posting daily videos and pics that catch basketball Twitter’s attention. He’s a huge college basketball guy and writes about it for Press Basketball. You can find him on Twitter @EFawcett7.
And myself, Austin Hutchinson. I help cover the NBA for Def Pen. You can find me battling trolls @AE_Hutchinson.
Here goes nothin!
1.) Manu Ginobili has never had the feel of a “superstar” per se. Why is (or dare you say, is he not) an All-Time great? Where do you have him on your All-Time International player list?
Torr:
Manu Ginobili is great, but is he an All-Time great?
Ehhhhhhhh.
I know, that’s a wishy-washy answer but that’s the best I got. He’s definitely a great player and deserves endless praise for everything he did for the city of San Antonio. Truthfully, only time can answer this question. This is definitely a question that we, as fans, will have to look back on in five years or so and then decide.
I read something a while back that had a quote that still sticks out in my mind, “If you have to question whether a player is a superstar, are they really a superstar?” This exact theory applies perfectly here.
Tim Duncan? No questions, one of the best centers in the world and clearly an All-Time great. Dirk Nowitzki? All-Time great and one of the best European players to ever play the game. Manu Ginobili? Ehhhhhh. He *could* be. Manu is the top player on the All-Argentina list. He’s arguably one of the best international players to play in the league along with his teammate, Tony Parker.
Villarreal:
One of the indistinguishable qualities among superstars is popularity. It’s hard to be considered a superstar if the rest of the NBA, and its fans, don’t cheer or fear your name.
This is generally true for All-Time great players as well. It’s easy to mistake reverence from tenure in the league for these qualities. This is relatively common. However, make no mistake, Manu Ginóbili was a superstar and is an All-Time Great player.
Manu’s mythical run to take down Team USA in the 2004 Olympics takes up a huge space on his resume, but that isn’t what defines him. Even though his accolades overseas are unparalleled, his impact and influence in the NBA are irreplaceable. What he has been doing for the Spurs as a 6th man, spark plug, and teammate, is some of the finest work the NBA has seen. Not only has he captivated the hearts of the people of San Antonio, he’s put an appropriate fear into the rest of the League with his knack for winning games off the bench. This is why he was a superstar, and his ability to do that consistently for 15 seasons is what makes him an All-Time Great player.
For all this, I can also comfortably say he is top five international player of all time.
Fawcett:
Right along with gaudy numbers and memorable big-game performances, I value consistency as a trait possessed by a fantastic player and for that reason, I most definitely view Manu as an All-Time great even though his individual numbers won’t wow you, and he was never the best player on the NBA championship teams he played on. However, his ability to stay healthy and consistent throughout his career to constantly play a key role on winning teams means he has worked himself into a position where if a story of basketball were to be written, he would have to play a role.
In terms of all time International players, I think I would have him somewhere in 7-9 range. I would have him well behind players like Dirk and Petrovic, but he still is a top 10 great international player, which is a position I think he will hold for quite some time.
Hutchinson:
While I was reveling in the glory of Ginobili’s legacy this week, I stumbled upon a peculiar stat.
There are seven players that have scored over 3,000 points, 800 assists, and 275 steals in NBA playoff history. Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen, … and Manu Ginobili. That’s quite the pedigree. The dude won a Euroleague title, two MVPs, and an NBA title by the time he turned 27. Then he played until he was the ripe age of 40.
Ginobili may only be a top ten international player all time. He doesn’t have the regular season stats or averages, or dominance like that of a superstar that would give him the “household name” to be one. That makes his All-Time greatness all the sweeter.
2.) NBA Draft previews and guides have been flying all over the interwebs this past week. Who is your “guy?” What is the craziest scenario you could see happening come draft night?
Torr:
Can I say my guy is Markelle Fultz?
I was thinking about this, and I really tried to be different. I looked at Lonzo Ball, Josh Jackson, and even De’Aaron Fox. None of those guys make me as happy as Fultz does. Fultz has the potential to be one of the best point guards in the league. Give him time, the right situation, and good teammates, and he will flourish. He has a 7’0″ wingspan and has the tools to be a great defender. In addition to his wingspan, he has the lateral quickness needed for success in this league. He is unafraid of defenders and shoots three’s right in their face. There’s simply so many things to love about Fultz that it’s hard to put into words.
One thing that seriously intrigues me is his basketball IQ. Yes, the wingspan is nice. Of course, the quickness allows him to have more success in the league. Clearly, being fearless is a nice touch. But, all of those attributes pale in comparison to his basketball IQ. Between Ball and Fultz, they could take over the league. They’re always 10 steps ahead of the defense and everyone on the court. Yes, they still make young-guy mistakes, but that shouldn’t pull you away from their high potential.
One crazy scenario I see happening is the Philadelphia 76ers not swapping picks with the Sacramento Kings and instead take the number five and 10 overall picks instead of number three. Then, they can draft Malik Monk without ridicule of taking him too high and whoever else they want at number 10.
Another scenario I see is the Celtics trading the number one overall pick to acquire Paul George or Jimmy Butler. This is more speculation than anything because the Celtics would be stupid to trade away Markelle Fultz to create a team that probably can’t hang with LeBron.
Villarreal:
While the guards may dominate the talk of this draft, and the NBA, I still have a soft spot for bigs. My guy in this draft is Jarrett Allen out of Texas. I like his size, length, and potential on defense. There are some questions about his consistency and overall headspace, but I think playing with the right team can fix all that. I don’t project him as the best player in this draft, or think he will make an immediate impact on a struggling team, but I do think he’s going to be extremely valuable in a couple of years.
As to the draft itself, there is potential for a lot of noise to be made trade wise all night. I think there are more opportunities for a team to move up in this draft than previous ones. I’m looking at you, New Orleans.
Fawcett:
I ride with Lauri Markkanen. I loved him from the moment I saw him deliver a catch and shoot a jumper, and my admiration only grew when I saw him attack an athletic wing and finish with a spinning left-handed finger role. While calling him a stretch big is, well, accurate, I don’t think it tells the whole story. He’s not just a guy who can hit a spot up jumper from the corner, pick and pop for a mid-range jumper, or stare down a slower big and beat him off the bounce. He is legitimately a seven footer who has good hands and quick release that you can run him off screens and allow him to attack off curls. We see wings like this in the league, but not seven footers like Markkanen. I legitimately believe the moment he steps on an NBA court he could be the best shooter at his position immediately.
As far as the craziest draft scenario, it would definitely be if the Lakers decide to pass on Lonzo Ball and take who I feel is a far superior player in De’Aaron Fox. This domino would send shockwaves through the draft, as teams who were denied the chance to get a workout from Ball would have to decide whether or not to take a chance on what has become basketball’s biggest sideshow. If the Lakers decide to pass on him, I could see him falling to fifth overall to Sacramento who would be willing to take that chance.
Hutchinson:
My guy is definitely Lonzo Ball. No, I don’t support his father and I am nowhere near a Los Angeles Lakers fan. I just love watching the guy play.
His court vision, ability to run the fast break, hit clutch shots, hit from deep, take it to the rim, I could go on and on. Sure, he has his faults. No midrange shot. Average handles. Can’t go right on a PnR. Ball may not be able to play point guard right away, but I just see his faults as nitpicking. Put him in the right situation, I think he just makes everyone around him shine. He has the “it” factor you look for in NFL quarterbacks. The dude qualities. I expect great things from Ball wherever he lands in the draft.
This draft has the potential to have some of the craziest scenarios we’ve seen in years. How is LaVar Ball going to react when Lonzo is passed up by the Lakers? What if the 76ers trade down or out of the draft? What if a team (ahem, Los Angeles, Philadelphia) reaches and takes De’Aaron Fox? Maybe Boston trades their number one pick in a package for Jimmy Butler? (not happening, but let me wish!)
3.) LeBron James just passed Michael Jordan on the playoff scoring list. What else would it take for you to admit that he’s the GOAT or even in the conversation? How large of an effect does winning the Finals this year have on that status?
Torr:
It’s definitely in the conversation. Though I am not a fan of this debate, I will swallow my pride for this question.
Everyone likes to bring up the point that LeBron had to run to Miami and join superstars in order to win a championship. But, they will downplay Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman’s importance to Jordan’s success. Some of the debates that I’ve seen on Twitter have been ridiculous because Twitter simplifies Pippen and Rodman’s importance to that of a role player. Scottie Pippen is a Hall-of-Famer and Rodman is a potential HOF’er. Those guys are far from role players.
Now, for LeBron, he has had great teammates as well. Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving. All four are all-stars and even, potentially, hall-of-famers.
If LeBron is going to pass Jordan on my “GOAT” list, he needs to win this year. Going up against the super team that is Golden State is a humongous task. But, has the tools and the teammates to do it, though.
Villarreal:
Well, quite frankly, LeBron has been in the Michael Jordan conversation for a couple of years now. He has always been on the track to pass him, and there is a lot going for him as he enters the end of his prime—whenever that may be. When he retires, LeBron could be the League’s all-time leading scorer. This is the only accolade you need to bring to the table when considering the greatest player of all time. Scoring is undeniable.
What makes LeBron an even more intriguing candidate is that scoring is not his only trait. He’s racking up assists and rebounds at an unprecedented rate for someone his position. Barring any major injury, he will be the greatest stat machine the NBA has ever known—if he isn’t that already.
He’s already vindicated his title demons. Who has the most championships is a flawed argument. That being said, if he somehow pulls out another title against the GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS, his legacy couldn’t be denied by the biggest of Jordan fans.
s record, I think you need to reevaluate your thinking.
Although I’d take MJ to take a potential game-winning shot every time, I give the edge to LeBron as a defender, distributor, and rebounder, and that’s enough for me to call him the GOAT. So many people still look at the finals record as the barometer of success, so LeBron winning or losing the championship this year will have a large positive or negative effect on his perception for many people.
Hutchinson:
As I wrote this question, I realized, I’m really tired of this argument. LeBron and Jordan enthusiasts are everywhere, clamoring for why their guy is better than the other. It’s gotten old.
Or has it not? Maybe it never will.
LeBron James legacy has been crushed by those who believe that since he didn’t go a perfect six for six in the NBA Finals, he will never be able to surpass Michael. But, did Michael ever win consecutive NBA titles as the clear underdog?
It will take a herculean effort for LeBron to take down the Golden State Warriors. For myself, if you can’t argue that LeBron isn’t the GOAT after winning these NBA Finals, you will forever be caught up in your own opinion. This is a huge turning point in LeBron’s career. Even if he loses (which would then propel this “competitive balance” issue even further) everyone will remember what LeBron did or didn’t do these Finals. It’s his moment to grab ahold of.
4.) The Cleveland Cavaliers will likely have an uphill battle defensively coming into the NBA Finals. What needs to go right for Cleveland to make this a competitive series?
Torr:
Basically, in order for the Cavaliers to win, everything needs to go left for the Warriors. I don’t foresee the Cavaliers retaining the Larry O’Brien trophy because the Warriors are too good. I could attempt to play devil’s advocate here, but that is highly unlikely. If you were to watch this series 10 times, 8/10 times the Warriors win.
You could argue that the Warriors are “not clutch,” but then you would make yourself look foolish. Granted, the Warriors have not played many clutch minutes this season. Hell, if you look at their clutch stats on NBA.com, you don’t get a good reference point because they’ve swept all of their playoff competition. But, take a look at their regular season clutch statistics and you find evidence. Both Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant have mediocre three-point percentages in those clutch situations. Thompson is shooting 26.3 percent from beyond the arc and Durant is shooting 20 percent. Considering the Warriors bread-and-butter is the three-pointer, those two will have to up their game.
The Cavs need to play tight defense. And when I say tight, I mean Avery Bradley in your shorts defense that makes the opponents want to punch your defense. One problem, the Cavaliers seem to be incapable of completing this tall task, outside of LeBron.
Cleveland was exposed in their series with Boston because Boston went back to their roots and installed a motion offense. The ball was flying and the assists were high, but all the Cavs could do was sit and watch as their defense was being picked to shreds by Brad Stevens and company. Ty Lue game planned for Isaiah Thomas and his isolation attacks. So, when Stevens had to switch things up because of the Thomas injury, Lue and the Cavs were caught off guard.
The Warriors love to run a motion offense. They have the highest field goal to assist ratio in the league. Every field goal usually has an assist that follows it. If the Cavaliers can shut this down and play tight defense, their marginal success rate grows a substantial amount.
Villarreal:
Waiting for the Cavs’ defense to come around isn’t a viable option anymore so, in their case, the best defense will be a good offense. If any team can go blow for blow with the volatile Warriors, it’s LeBron and friends. They need to attack any stagger, bench, and mismatch for 48 minutes to pull this off.
I don’t see this as an impossible task, especially if Kevin Love finds a place in this series. If he doesn’t become an odd man out again, he can do a lot of damage offensively which would alleviate a lot of pressure from LeBron.
It also wouldn’t hurt if J. R. Smith and the rest of the Cleveland role players show up to play.
Fawcett:
It starts with rebounding. I think the Warriors are a far more efficient offensive team, so for the Cavaliers to win games I think they will have to dominate the glass to get extra possessions to catch up offensively. They will have to find a way to keep Thompson and Love on the floor together for as many minutes as possible to keep the advantage on the glass, and that could be seriously tough to do when Golden State goes small.
Furthermore, the Cavaliers will need to get improved defensive performances from some of their primarily offensive tools. J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, and Channing Frye will be counted on to drill three’s, but they will need to find ways to contribute on the defensive side of the basketball to give the Cavaliers a fighting chance.
Hutchinson:
Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving are going to have to have huuuuge implications on the series. Both have to stay on the court and guard at least a respectable point and paint. They also need to play out of their minds Kyrie needs to average nearly 30 plus per game and outplay Stephen Curry. Kevin Love needs to keep grabbing 10+ boards a game, working with Tristan Thompson to dominate the glass, while still hitting five big threes.
As long as the Cavaliers win the battle of the rebounds and Love, LeBron, and Irving can average 80 plus combined points per games, these matches can be close. If they don’t, Cleveland’s defense will just collapse within itself and this series will be gone faster than a Kardashian (Sorry, Tristan.)
5.) The Golden State Warriors come into these NBA Finals as favorites to win it all. What could go wrong for Golden State to make this a competitive series?
Torr:
I hate to do the stereotype, “Oh if x player gets injured, then the Warriors are screwed!” Well, obviously that’s the case, but I have to agree with that statement. If Durant reaggravates his injury, or Draymond Green gets another suspension, the Warriors can kiss the championship goodbye. I doubt those are likely scenarios, though, so here is a plausible example.
Klay Thompson has been absent in the playoffs this year, but it has been overlooked because of his unbelievably talented teammates doing the heavy lifting. If the Warriors want to win this year, Thompson needs to step it up. He can’t continue his inconsistent trend of being absent-minded half of the games. Actually, both he and Durant need to be present in the clutch moments of the Finals. LeBron and the Cavs will take advantage of them if they’re absent.
Also, I may be in the small majority here, but I love Draymond unchained. Since Kerr’s absence, Draymond is playing as if Mike Brown is the substitute teacher. He swears uncontrollably and trashes his opponents. Though, this could be a problem for the Warriors if he slips up somewhere along the line.
I’m going to enjoy Draymond unchained while it lasts.
Villarreal:
If the Warriors start to get lazy amongst all their winning, it may be enough to let the Cavaliers creep into the series. They need to take this team seriously. They need to get after the boards, they need to not settle a Kevin Durant-Wardell Curry three-point contest, and they need to play this entire series through. It’s as simple as that.
There is no reason for the Warriors to lose this series. They have all the shooting, playmaking, and go-to scoring in the world. This is their series to lose.
Fawcett:
I mentioned the Cavaliers need to create extra possessions if they want to steal some games, and the Warriors have shown a tendency to get loose with the ball which could be a potential downfall. Curry losing the handle on a flashy pass, or Draymond Green pressing too hard and forcing passes could create several key extra possessions for the Cavaliers which will be found money for their offense.
I think if the Warriors are able to limit extra possessions for the Cavaliers by being tight with the ball and solid on the glass, they should be in great shape in this series.
Hutchinson:
Worst case scenario is Curry and Thompson forget how to run an offense, LeBron “clamps” Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant fails at hero ball.
But no, really, Golden State’s biggest enemy is themselves. They need to come out of the gate in game one and show who’s boss. They have the better team. Cleveland can match their spread offense, but not for forever. I doubt they have the energy or ability left to shut down the dub machine for a full seven games.
Defense wins championships is a cliche for a reason, and Golden State has plenty of it. We may find out too soon that this cliche is true.
Thanks for reading the second edition of the Half Court Heave! Have a question you’d like to submit? Tweet at myself or Def Pen Hoops. Come back next week for the third edition of our panel!
