5 Players Who Would Have Benefited From Having A 3-Point Line

The NBA game has changed over the last 3 decades in the way it is played. With the institution of the 3-point line during the 1979-80 season basketball would change forever. Many players didn't get to play in the NBA with the 3 point line so this begs me to ask the question “which players pre 3 point line era would have benefited from having played in the league with one”. So let me give you my top 5 players.

#5 Sam Jones

Sam Jones is one of the greatest Boston Celtics of all-time and he was the 1^st of his breed. A 6-5 shooting guard with tremendous athleticism some have even said he revolutionized the position. Back in his playing days there was no 3 point line and basketball was much more slower and compact in terms of pace and floor spacing. Jones playing with the edition of the 3 point line would have created more opportunities to exploit the opposition with his size and athleticism by creating more situation for Jones to cut to the basket which would up his scoring average. Either way he is still a hall of famer.

#4 Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt was the most dominant and physically imposing player of his day. How ever an underrated aspect was his passing as he averaged 4.4 assists on his career which is a lot for a big man. Wilt playing in the new era of NBA basketball with a 3 point line would be incredibly beneficial to his game and team contribution which was already very high. Wilt would still have the offense being run through him but with shooters on his team and 3 point shots being worth more it would draw more double teams and create better ball movement which would in turn only benefit Wilt's already astronomically high statistics.

#3 Jerry West

Ranked 16^th in scoring all time in NBA history Jerry West was a prolific scorer with 25,192 points in his career. 13 of his 14 seasons he averaged 20+ points per game on 9.7 field goals made. To put into perspective Lebron James had 10.1 field goals made which led the league this past year. Had West played in the NBA with a 3 point line his points per game number might have been even higher then it currently is now. He would also have more chances to be even higher on the scoring list with more chances on the perimeter and better floor spacing.

#2 Elgin Baylor

Elgin Baylor brought playing above the rim to the NBA and scored over 23,000 points in his career. During his time he was one arguably the most athletic forward in basketball. So with his ability to get to the rim playing in the league would have greatly benefited Baylor just creating more open looks for him.

#1 Oscar Robertson

Considered by some to be the greatest basketball player who ever lived playing in the NBA with a 3 point line benefits Oscar Robertson more then anybody else. Check the stats this guy is statistically off the charts. Consider this looking at “The Big O” stats they didn't count two dribble assists or kick out for jump shot assists. If they had he would have averaged a triple double 7 straight years. With the better floor spacing that a 3 point line offers Oscar Robertson would not only have more assists But would also up his scoring his average. The way you see the Miami Heat building around a player like Lebron James is the same way the Royals or the Bucks would build around Oscar playing to his strengths which is only going to increase his numbers and would also increase the discussion for him as the greatest players of all-time.

Orlando Summer League Day 3 Summary

Day 3 of Summer league happened today and usually at this point you get to see players tendencies, consistencies and conditioning all put to the test and on full display. So lets get into the day 3 breakdown.

Consistent performers: Kelly Olynyk and Solomon Hill

3 Days in and Kelly Olynyk continues to blow my mind with how skilled and crafty he is in the post. He plays with patience and poise and he is looking more and more like a rotation player for Celtics as the days pass on by. The long haired power forward collected 21 Points 9 Rebounds and 4 Assists. As much as I still have questions about him Olynyk continues to impress.

The other guy who has strung together 2 straight games of excellent play is Solomon Hill. He has shown the ability to put the ball in the basket scoring 22 yesterday and 15 today leading the Pacers in points. Hill along with Olynyk have put up the ideal performances for their respective teams over the past few days.

Peyton Siva (Detroit Pistons)

Day 3 Stats vs Thunder: 12 Points 7 Assists 1 Rebound 1 Steal 4-10 FG in 24:58 Minutes of play.

To watch Peyton Siva play in person at his time in Louisville was one thing but to look at his stats were another. His numbers were never gaudy but when you watched him play you saw someone who knew how to run an offense and ran it all the way to becoming a national champion. The Knock on Siva is obviously is that he is undersized at 6 feet tall. Today he gave Piston fans a glimpse of what he is capable of which is playing smart efficient basketball, hitting perimeter shots and most importantly taking care of the basketball. His Assist to turnover ratio was 7 to 1 so that’s. If you look at my high school report card you can tell that I’m no mathematician but im more then sure that a 7 to 1 ratio in that category is outstanding. In this league with all of these great athletes its imperative to cut down on turnovers and I feel that Siva brings that to the table.

Final Analysis: Siva set up Andre Drummond several times for some high percentage shots in the paint With big men like him and Monroe he could really flourish on the Pistons if given the chance. He brings poise and stability to Detroit’s weakest part of the team which is point guard (Until Brandon Knight wakes up). I hope Siva gets a shot I feel like his college accolades and his performances today speaks for itself.

Something Out Of Nothing: Terrence Jones

I think in todays game for the Rockets its worth noting that Terrence Jones didnt have the best of days in scoring the ball but still managed the highest plus/minus rating at +10 on the entire team. He shot 1-7 from the field and 4-8 from the free throw line but impacted the game in other areas such as blocked shots with 3 while still hauling in 5 rebounds. Its good to see a young guy still contribute even when he isn't having a good day scoring and to me that’s a sign of development.

James Ennis (Miami Heat)

Day 3 Stats vs Magic: 19 Points 6 Rebounds 1 Steal 5-11 FG in 26:28 minutes of play.

The Miami Heat are world champions and many people may feel that looking toward the future isn't really a priority right now but that’s why Pat Riley is a genius and you are sitting on the couch eating cookie dough ice cream. Riley and many people seem to think they have found a hidden gem in James Ennis similar to Norris Cole a few seasons ago. Ennis like most players the Heat is fundamentally and knows how to play the game. Today he gave the Heat some scoring with 19 points and went a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line.

Final analysis: Still need a bigger sample size on Ennis but if your Pat Riley or anyone in the Heat organization there are certainly some encouraging signs.

NBA Orlando Summer League: Day 1

Today was the start of the NBA Summer League in Orlando. This is where players prove themselves and all of that pre draft hype gets put to rest. This is where many players set the tone for their careers. Although a lot of these guys have different roles and situations on their team they all have a common goal which is ball out to the best of their abilities and show all suitors and potential suitors they belong to play among the greatest players in world in the NBA. Many Players made their NBA debuts today some went well and some not so well but that’s what I’m here for to break it down for you.

Terrence Jones (Houston Rockets)

Day 1 Stats vs Sixers: 24 Points 12 Rebounds 1 Assist 9-13 FG in 29:23 minutes of play

Last season after being drafted 18^th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft Terrence Jones found himself outside of the Rockets rotation and found himself in the D-League. He could have complained because lets face it this is a guy who is extremely talented and started on one of the greatest college basketball teams ever but he didn’t let his ego get in the way of improving as a player and worked on his craft which led him to becoming a D-League all-star. Watching him in his 2013 Orlando summer league debut he looked a hell of a lot more polished from when I last saw him with the Rockets. If you watched then he showed you he could do a little bit of everything. In the early stages of the game he flashed his perimeter game hitting his only three-pointer of the game. From there on you saw a player who just gets after it on the boards hauling in 12 rebounds and using every bit of that 6 foot 9 inch 252 pound frame to display his toughness on the boards. He stayed in attack mode and found himself earning lots of points in the paint, this in turn put him at the free throw line where he knocked down 5 of his 7 attempts from the charity stripe. Jones has a high motor and it was on all full display Sunday morning.

Final Analysis: For a guy who worked hard at his craft in the D-league and accomplished a lot this was the best start he could have asked for. If NBA GM's had any questions about the development of Terrence Jones then all of that was quickly put to rest and they were reminded of how talented he was at Kentucky.Terrence has a great chance to earn some minutes in the Rockets rotation this season and as long as he stays consistent this summer league with similar performances like this he will prove to be an asset once the games really count.

Michael Carter-Williams (Philadelphia 76ers)

Day 1 stats vs Rockets: 26 Points 7 Rebounds 8 Assists 9 turnovers 8-23 FG in 34:05 minutes of play

It's a new era in Philadelphia 76ers basketball in recent years they have gotten rid of all-stars Andre Iguadola and Recently traded Jrue Holiday because they have limitless faith in former Syracuse standout point guard Michael Carter-williams, Monday morning he made his summer league debut vs Houston. While I do see a lot of potential in the 6'7 guard I also see someone who for now is very flawed and has some serious adjustments to make. Lets start with the good Carter-williams he is long so when he gets in the lane he can finish and he showed that on a few plays collecting and 1's. He had 11 free throw attempts and made 10 of them so not only did he show the ability to stay aggressive and get to the line but he was nearly perfect from the free throw line which kept the Sixers in the game. Now the bad Carter-williams like most rookies in the league is going to try to do more then he can and force things when he should, his shot selection was very erratic 8-23 he shot he needs to let the game come to him. 9 Turnovers shows that he needs to take care of the basketball but as the game went on he displayed that he can adjust and make plays for his teammates.

Final Analysis: It is only Michael Carter-Williams 1^st game and there are a bunch of high expectations being placed on this guy to replace All-Star Jrue Holiday so give him time. I see a lot of versatility with him as far as his ability to attack the rim, get to the line as well as guarding bigger players when switching pick and rolls with him being 6 feet 7 inches tall. That height also allows him to post up smaller guards on the block which is a viable asset for him, that aspect of his game reminds me a bit of Shaun Livingston. All in all I think he needs to put on some size and develop a perimeter jump shot which will come in time but considering how much he was pressing in the first half of his debut he wound up having a good showing. The future is bright in Philly for this guy.

Victor Oladipo (Orlando Magic)

Day 1 Stats vs Celtics: 18 Points 6 Rebounds 7 Assists 5 Steals 5-13 FG in 33:28 minutes of play

Of all the guys who made their debut Sunday I was most excited to see Victor Oladipo more then anybody. He is one of the pieces in the Orlando Magic youth movement and the future at shooting guard looks bright for them. From the very get go it was the Victor Oladipo show he scored the Magic's first 6 points on two 3 pointers. He showed a lot of what he has to offer with his defensive tenacity deflecting many passes which lead to Boston turnovers and eazy transition points as he collected 5 steals and just caused a whole lot of trouble for the Celtics. One of the most underrated parts of his game was his play making ability as the primary ball handler I was completely oblivious to the fact that he had that ability and the fact that he has that is impressive to me.

Final Analysis: Oladipo is solid in every sense of the word he gets after it defensively, finishes at the rim and makes his teammates better I think the Magic found a good one in the former Hoosier standout. My prediction when speaking about summer league is that Oladipo would be the best player in it and so far it looks like I am right but he looks exactly like the kind of guy you want on your basketball team. Lets see how consistent he stays he already looks like an impact player.

Kelly Olynyk (Boston Celtics)

Day 1 stats vs Magic: 25 Points 7 Rebounds 2 Assists 2 Steals 9-12 FG in 26:42 minutes of play.

Not going to lie of all of the guys in both summer leagues there are no draft prospects I had a lower expectation level for then Kelly Olynyk he comes off as very soft to me and that rubbed me the wrong way at his time at Gonzaga. When I watched him play he pretty much showed me he could play even though he plays like an oversized shooting guard. He displayed tremendous touch around the rim and away from hit very efficient against the Magic big men. He still played very soft he could play with more intensity on defense but he had a good showing in summer league lets see how long it lasts.

Final Analysis: Olynyk looks like the kind of big you would want to play with Rajon Rondo he is an excellent pick and pop player who can stretch the floor with his shooting. Not sure how he will fit into Bostons plans but interested to see what happens to the former Gonzaga phenom.

Jarvis Varnado (Miami Heat)

Day 1 Stats vs Jazz: 10 Points 6 Rebounds 4 blocks 4-11 FG in 31:22 minutes of play

Jarvis Varnado is an excellent shot blocker dating back to his days at Mississippi State and not much has changed now in that department. In his 2013 debut in the Orlando summer league he proved he can give the Heat a presence in the middle which they so desperately need against the Pacers and the Bulls. The only knock on him his he has trouble finishing at the rim needs to work on his hands if he can fix that they won't have to look at Greg Oden.

Final Analysis: If he does what he needs to do then Varnado will be in the Heat rotation come October if not then you will see him in street clothes again on the bench...GET IT DONE JARVIS!

Dionte Christmas (Utah Jazz)

Day 1 stats vs Heat: 14 Points 5 Rebounds 3 Assists 1 Steal 6-10 FG in 24:43 Minutes of play

Dionte Christmas has been trying to get into the league for a minute in his days at Temple he averaged 19+ points for 3 seasons he is a proven scorer and Sunday Morning was no different. In yet another summer league tryout this time with the Utah Jazz he led them in scoring at 14 points in a win over the Heat. He does a great job of getting to his spots on the floor and hitting shots. He needs to continue to do that if he wants to make an NBA Roster.

Final Analysis: Dionte Christams is no scrub he just needs a chance to play and hopefully Utah gives him that chance but he has to give him a reason with more performances like this one.

Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons)

Day 1 stats vs Nets: 12 Points 16 Rebounds 6 Blocks 5 Steals 5-14 FG in 25:18 Minutes of play

The Detroit Pistons have signed Josh Smith and already have Greg Monroe I have already stated multiple times on Twitter that I think they have a great chance to be the best front court in basketball. If that is going to happen a lot of that falls on the shoulders of man child Andre Drummond. In his Summer League debut plenty of reasons people like myself and in the Pistons organization are so high on him were shown. His rebounding was great he grabbed 16 boards with a whopping 7 offensive rebounds so controlling the glass is something Drummond brings to the table. He gave you 6 blocks and 5 steals displaying his athleticism that most big men don’t have. As great as all of that is he still has work to do if he wants to become an elite dominant center in the league like taking care of the basketball 7 turnovers for a center is in excusable. Most importantly though Free throws, he shot 2-9 and that is a deficiency in his game hopefully he gets that corrected because if he does the Piston front court could be special.

Final Analysis: Good dominant performance in the facets of the game you would expect from Drummond like rebounding, blocks you know big man stuff. If he wants to mature into that franchise center the Pistons think he could be he must work on hitting shots from the free throw line. All in all though a very goo showing by Drummond now lets build off of that.

Day 1 is a wrap, stay tuned for day 2 coming soon. To stay up to date with all things Tru School Sports and NBA Summer league related follow me on Twitter or Like the Facebook page in the links below.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatboyBTaylor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruSchoolSports

Celtics Need To Build Around Rajon Rondo

It's not everyday that a franchise like the Boston Celtics hires a young coach like Brad Stevens to lead them in the rebuilding process and ultimately to banner number 18 hanging at the TD Garden but that’s what has happened here. Recently the Celtics decided to part ways with franchise cornerstones Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, Marshon Brooks and 3 future first round draft picks.

This means that Rajon Rondo is now “The Guy” on the team. Throughout the course of his career in bean town Rondo has always played his role behind the likes of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett but now the Boston Celtics are his team and he needs to stay. People have always said Rondo is just a play maker and could never be the number 1 guy on a really good team, I for one disagree. Rajon Rondo does so many things right obviously with his passing and ability to make people better but the defensively his intensity can inspire a team this is a guy who just wants to win and now its his time to prove he can do it as the guy. He has a leaders mentality and you want that in your organization.

This biggest thing for the Celtics is getting new coach Brad Stevens and Rondo on the same page and for now that seems to be the case. Stevens in his opening press conference stated “There is no bigger fan of Rajon Rondo then me”. Sources close to Rondo say that he is looking at the situation with an open mind which is exactly what you want to hear. For now the dynamic between Stevens and Rondo is cool but we will see how long that lasts when the season starts and the Celtics lose a few games.

This is the perfect opportunity for Rondo to prove himself he always had the mindset of a leader now its time to put that to use. As the Celtics move forward they have still have a few pieces already sitting around Rondo like Jeff Green, Kris Humphries, Marshon Brooks, Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass the Celtics aren't elite but they are far from scrubs they just need to put themselves in a position to bring in another All-star player to play with Rondo. That could come in the form of one of 3 future 1^st round draft picks the Celtics received in their recent trade with the Brooklyn Nets. As a big time franchise that prides itself on excellence don't expect the Celtics to be below the elites for that long.

This isn't 2006 anymore Rondo isn't a wide eyed kid from Kentucky, this is his team now. This is a guy who when healthy is a top 5 guard in the league. The same guy who played less than half a season last year and had more Triple-Doubles then Lebron James. This is a guy who i'm sure goes to the TD Garden sees all the banners and retired numbers and wants to be up there himself. Danny Ainge get him pieces so you can get #9 to the rafters and another banner for Boston

Video Blog: Reebok Pump Omni Lite Sneaker Review (Dee Brown)

On a recent run to the mall I went shoe shopping and made one of my sneakerhead dreams come true. I picked up the Reebok Pumps Omni lites made famous by Dee Brown of the Boston Celtics who won the slam dunk contest in 1991. In this video I just basically review and give you my take on the sneaker........They are the definition of the word "Classic"

Tru School Of Kicks: Dee Brown Reebok Omni Pumps

From 1990-2002 Dee Brown played basketball in the NBA for the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic. He had an OK career as a role player 11 points per game and just under 4 assists. People won't remember him much for what he did in his tenure for those 3 teams but more for what he did during all-star weekend 1991 in Charlotte.

During the Slam Dunk contest Dee Brown was looking to seal the 1991 Slam Dunk Contest with a “Cherry on the sundae” if you will. He looked at the rim took 3 hard dribbles toward the basket proceeded by 2 long steps and exploded upward while covering his eyes in mid air and jammed the basketball with his left hand. The dunk sealed the dunk contest crown for the Jacksonville native and landed him a sneaker commercial and endorsement with Reebok. The omni pumps were one of the most iconic shoes of the 1990's and any kid who grew up in that era of basketball vividly remembers them. That dunk was a cultural revolution, no shoe has ever been able to pump up so Reebok had its own signature swag if you will. Dee Brown proved you don't have to be Lebron or MJ to get your own sneaker.

On June 14^th Reebok decided to re release the Dee Brown Omni Pumps arguably the brands most iconic basketball sneaker ever. The sneaker is priced at 115$ so if you were one of those kids who grew up in the 90's and couldn't afford them here is your chance. If your like me who was born in the mid 90's and have never ever physically seen the pair shoes but salivate at them chance to get them here is your chance. I'm going basketball shoe shopping pretty soon for my post graduation pair of kicks my dad promised me so if I see these it's a must buy.

Throwback Thursday: 1996 NBA Draft Class

The 2013 NBA Draft is set to take place in a matter of a month or so and it is chalk full of guys not much older or mature then myself. Not only that but it may be one of the weakest classes in years due to the fact that there is no clear consensus number one pick. I don’t like to focus on the negative though that’s not we do here a Tru School Sports but we will do is our Throwback Thursday and today the post is on arguably one of the best if not the Best draft classes in league history which  features the Players from the 1996 NBA draft. That Draft changed the whole dynamic of the league for better or worse bringing you some of the biggest names in basketball the last 25 years with players such as Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant.

Flash,Flare,Practice, Championships and controversy are a few words to describe the two most noticeable faces from the 1996 class-Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant. The 2 players are arguably the best players in the history of  2 of the NBA’s most iconic franchises in the Philadelphia 76ers and L.A  Lakers. Iverson and Bryant brought their own unique playing style and swagger to the League on and off the court. Kobe had an afro and was cold blooded gained a reputation as one of the leagues top clutch Performers. Iverson like his counterpart did the same but at a greater magnitude for many Sixers teams that lacked the talent the Lakers had.

In what is known among many People as the “Ankle Breaker” era of basketball (Early 2000’s) Iverson and Bryant were the leagues two most popular players and had a clear rivalry with each other. In 2000 the two franchise players met in the NBA Finals. The series provided one of he most memorable moments from that era of basketball when Allen Iverson crossed over Tyron Lue made him fall down , hit a Jumper and stepped right over him like only A.I could do. The Sixers came out swinging in game 1 beating the Lakers but in the end we were in the midst of what was going to become a dynasty and A.I just didn't have the help.

These guys though as great as they were still had controversy surrounding them. Allen Iverson Had his infamous “Practice” Interview/rant. Kobe Bryant had his feud with Shaq which ultimately ended the Laker Dynasty. Great Players who we love to talk about, who  also are some of the Highest Jersey sellers ever came from that 1996 draft class with 1st and 13^th picks respectively.

Then there are the Guys who are the Best we have ever seen at a particular facet of a game

In the 5^th in 15^th picks of that Draft In Ray Allen and Steve Nash. Ray Allen is statistically and historically the greatest three point shooters and one of the greatest clutch shooters of all-time. Steve Nash for the better Part of His career made Pick and Rolls look illegal and is one of the very few people to win Back to Back MVP’s.

Ray Allen Has played on some great teams over the years. Whether is was with Sam Cassell, Glen Robinson, Rashard Lewis,Kevin Garnett or Lebron James he always found ways to become and stay the most feared shooter in the game. Very few people in even in today’s NBA can match the fitness level of Ray Allen even at 37 years old. It is this reason that He is the NBA’s All-time best three point shooter.

Steve Nash is the perfect example of how you make teammates better, If you look a numbers he averaged 11 assists four times in his career. If you Wan’t physical proof of how great Nash Is as a facilitator just look at what Amare Stoudemire’s Contract and what he hasn’t done without Nash, That speaks volumes to his greatness. The Phoenix Suns teams of the Mid 2000’s of Nash, Shawn Marion and Amare was some of the most exciting basketball I ever watched had they had some coaching on defense Nash might have a ring on his finger But for a guy who was once considered to slow in College and that he wouldn’t matchup well with athletes in NBA Not bad.

Then There are the guys who are All-Stars that never won anything but were very exciting to watch in their prime in 4^th and 17^th picks Jermaine O’Neal and Stephon Marbury.

Jermaine O’neal was once considered one of the best frontcourt players in his prime but for all the talent he possessed he is a great example of someone flaming out early in their career. Make no Mistake About it though when in his Prime Jermaine O’neal was a monster for the Indiana Pacers and and All-Star Year in and year out.

Stephon Marbury was a guy who was exciting to watch but at the end of the day wasn’t impacting winning. He had plenty seasons averaging 20 points but never took a team deep into the playoffs. Starbury was a tremendous talent anybody who gets traded for Jason Kidd has to be.

The Number two pick in 1996 draft happened to be one of the better defensive players of this era and that would be Marcus Camby. Although he was never turned into a star Camby has had a long productive career and won Defensive player of the year in 2006-2007. Wherever he has gone he has produced.

Sacramento just received word that Kings are not Moving and I’m sure if you ask Kings fans about the glory days of Webber/Bibby/Peja. They will all tell you about great it was to watch the  14^th pick in the 96 draft play. He played on the best teams in that franchises history and was one of the deadliest shooters of his era and appeared in 3 All-Star Games for the Kings.

Other Players That Appeared in this draft are guys such as Antoine Walker, Derek Fisher, Kerry Kittles, Zydrunas Ilgauskas which are all guys who were Role Players on teams that won or made it to the NBA finals.

So All in all the 1996 Draft Class will go down in the books as one of the most influential and impacting drafts in NBA History but is it the best? In my opinion the answer is yes but some people may disagree but it definitely helped the NBA in finding stars for the league post Jordan era.


What do you think?

Let me know by Liking the Facebook Page at 
www.Facebook.com/Truschoolsports