Post by James on Jul 16, 2010 0:11:11 GMT -5
Training Camp – Winners and Losers (Eastern Conference)
Winners
Xavier Henry
B A- C- A- C B
B+ A- C- A- C B
Expect Xavier Henry to play an even more important role this season in New Jerseys second tilt at a title after another excellent training camp which saw his inside rating go up from a B to a B+. Pair that with another +5 reward camp and we have a guy who is only 23 with unbelievable ratings on our hands on a stacked team who is just waiting to shine.
Perry Jones
B+ C- A- B B
A- A- C A B B
RIP opposing small forwards. Just when you thought New York's Perry Jones couldn’t get any better – he does. After averaging 23 and 7 in his first season out (which was only 4 seasons ago mind you), Jones will be looking to take the 2015 season by storm and help his New York Knicks to their first Championship in the UOSLR and in the process, capturing the leagues most coverted individual award, the MVP. With A- A- scoring ratings and an A defensive rating, being labeled the leagues best isn’t out of reach.
Marquis Teague
B- B+ B- B- C- B
C+ A- B+ B- C- B
They had to settle with a trade off however I think Washington will be quite happy with Teague, the 3rd overall pick in the 2013 UOSLR drafts training camp. Whilst he lost an inside grade, he gained an outside one and two handling grades to boot. This makes Teague a very interesting prospect as he could develop into an A A- B+/A- type point guard if he still has potential left in the tank.
Kris Humphries
C+ C+ D+ B+ A C
B- B- D+ B+ A C
Where did this come from? After signing a modest $8 million 1-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks, 29 year old center Kris Humphries ‘exploded’, making his rating line very flattering and ‘easy on the eye’. Although it might not be enough to help the Hawks win this years championship, it’s certainly a welcoming addition.
James McAdoo
B- C- C- B- B- B
B C- C- B B A
This years number 10 draft pick looks more like a number 1 draft pick after undergoing one of the leagues best training camps this season. McAdoo went up in 3 categories, inside, defense and rebounding. His scouted potential also sky-rocketed to an A as well making him the pick of the 2014 draft class.
Abdul Gaddy
C+ C+ B+ B D A
B- C+ A- B D A
Abdul Gaddy had a break-out season last year and should have another one this season, going up in two key categories. Although he may not have had the best training camp in the league, the 22 year old has a very nice off-season and will give Piston fans at least something to look forward to in the future.
Tyson Chandler
B- C C A B C
B C C A B+ D
The Bucks come out huge winners in training camp after seeing 31 year old center Tyson Chandler go up in two key categories. The 7’1” center who averaged 8, 11 and 3 blocks last season is now a B inside scorer and a B+ rebounder. Any increase would have been welcomed by Milwaukee as they go in search for a 3rd UOSLR Championship this season and for it to happen to their veteran starting center is a big bonus.
Doron Lamb
C B+ C B+ D+ B
C A- C+ B+ C- B
Doron Lamb enjoyed a healthy first training camp in the UOSLR going up in 3 categories. Taken at 13 by the Milwaukee Bucks, Lamb improved outside (A-), handles (C+) and rebounding (C-) and is the cherry on top of Milwaukee's off-season cake (Dwyane Wade retaining his ratings and Travis Leslies increase included as well).
Gordon Hayward
B- A- C+ B+ C B
B- A- B- A- C+ B
How nice does Hayword look now that he has B- or better in the four categories most important to a small forward? Toronto’s former number 12 pick went up in handles, defense and rebounding giving the Raptors 2 players who underwent a very successful off-season.
Ray McCallum
C+ C+ B+ B- D B
C+ B A B D+ C
The other Raptor who enjoyed success this off-season was newly drafted Ray McCallum. McCallum had one of the best training camps in the league jumping up from a C+ to a B in his outside shot and an incredible B+ to A in handles. McCallum, at 21 years of age, looks like a future stud. If his real potential is higher than his scouted one (which most scouts assume so) then Toronto could have a very nice point guard on their hands.
Losers
Kyle Irving
C+ B A- B+ D+ A
C+ B A- B+ D C
Irving’s scouted potential dropped dramatically from an A to a C in this years training camp. The 3rd overall pick in the 2012 draft entered the league with a lot of promise and has enjoyed steady rating increases since then however has undergone severe ‘value’ damage after coming out of training camp virtually identical minus the aforementioned drop in potential. If Irving had kept his A potential he would still be considered a very valuable commodity at only 22 years of age however at C, it will see a lot of GM’s turn away from potentially acquiring the young point guard.
Eddie Griffin
C+ C+ C A- B D
C+ C+ C B+ B C
Although he only went down once defensively, any sort of decline from a player with C+ C+ C A- B C ratings who is earning a little over $20 million this season is a loss in my books. Griffin’s most valuable asset is his shot-blocking and to see declination in that area is a real blow to the 2001 Rookie of the Year and 2005 Defensive Player of the Year.
Dirk Nowitzki
C+ A C A- A- D
C+ A C A- A- F
After capturing his first UOSLR Championship at age 36, there's only one direction Dirk Nowitzki’s individual career is going from now on in and that is down. New Jersey will be ecstatic that he didn’t lose any ‘skill’ grades however Dirk now carries with him the ‘F potential’ tag along with a $76 million contract which the Nets will be hoping can bag them another Championship even with his steady downfall now in full swing.
Al Jefferson
A- C C- A- A- B
B+ C D+ A- A- C
Jefferson left Chicago in free agency in what can only be described as controversial fashion and the big man didn’t keep quiet in training camp either, dropping potential (B to C) as well as his inside (A- to B+) and handles (C- to D+) rating. Al-Jeff is still an elite power forward however his training camp slump must be comforting if anything for the Bulls.
Derrick Rose
A C B- B C C
A- C C+ B- C C
Wow, can this guy get any worse? Rose was considered the 2nd best player in the 2007 draft class. He won the MVP in the All-Star Rookie game and made the All-Rookie first team in the same season. From there on in though, it’s been a depressing downward spiral for the young point guard. Bust.
Michael Gilchrist
B A- C B B- A
B- A- C B B- A
It’s not all doom and gloom for the 2012 number 1 draft pick however Washington would have been hoping for a big training camp from the 6’8” small forward this season. Unfortunately, all they got was an inside rating drop. After coming off an efficient 19, 7 and 4 season, the Bullets were optimistic entering training camp however will be very disappointing leaving it.
Tomas Satoransky
B- B B C+ C A
C+ B B C+ C B
Satroransky along with the aforementioned Abdul Gaddy were Detroits two of Detrpots three bright spots going into training camp and unfortunately for them, only one came out a winner. Satoransky, a former number 5 pick came into this years training camp with the potential to come out of it with a very impressive rating line however ended up going down inside and losing his converted A potential grade. An unfortunate outcome for the Pistons.
Harrison Barnes
B+ B C- B+ C+ B
B+ B C- B+ B- A
This years number 1 pick goes up only one grade, disappointing. Whats even more disappointing is that the grade he did go up in is rebounding. Unlucky for Detroit.
David Lee
A- C C C A D
B+ C C C A- D
Indiana will be devastated with Lee’s training camp after the 6’9” power forward dropped to a B+ on his inside rating and to an A- for his rebounding rating. Lee, who is probably on one of the nicest contracts in the league was a key factor to the Pacers success last season and carried with him hope of going further this year. Seeing him drop in two key categories for a big man is devastating for Indiana.
Winners
Xavier Henry
B A- C- A- C B
B+ A- C- A- C B
Expect Xavier Henry to play an even more important role this season in New Jerseys second tilt at a title after another excellent training camp which saw his inside rating go up from a B to a B+. Pair that with another +5 reward camp and we have a guy who is only 23 with unbelievable ratings on our hands on a stacked team who is just waiting to shine.
Perry Jones
B+ C- A- B B
A- A- C A B B
RIP opposing small forwards. Just when you thought New York's Perry Jones couldn’t get any better – he does. After averaging 23 and 7 in his first season out (which was only 4 seasons ago mind you), Jones will be looking to take the 2015 season by storm and help his New York Knicks to their first Championship in the UOSLR and in the process, capturing the leagues most coverted individual award, the MVP. With A- A- scoring ratings and an A defensive rating, being labeled the leagues best isn’t out of reach.
Marquis Teague
B- B+ B- B- C- B
C+ A- B+ B- C- B
They had to settle with a trade off however I think Washington will be quite happy with Teague, the 3rd overall pick in the 2013 UOSLR drafts training camp. Whilst he lost an inside grade, he gained an outside one and two handling grades to boot. This makes Teague a very interesting prospect as he could develop into an A A- B+/A- type point guard if he still has potential left in the tank.
Kris Humphries
C+ C+ D+ B+ A C
B- B- D+ B+ A C
Where did this come from? After signing a modest $8 million 1-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks, 29 year old center Kris Humphries ‘exploded’, making his rating line very flattering and ‘easy on the eye’. Although it might not be enough to help the Hawks win this years championship, it’s certainly a welcoming addition.
James McAdoo
B- C- C- B- B- B
B C- C- B B A
This years number 10 draft pick looks more like a number 1 draft pick after undergoing one of the leagues best training camps this season. McAdoo went up in 3 categories, inside, defense and rebounding. His scouted potential also sky-rocketed to an A as well making him the pick of the 2014 draft class.
Abdul Gaddy
C+ C+ B+ B D A
B- C+ A- B D A
Abdul Gaddy had a break-out season last year and should have another one this season, going up in two key categories. Although he may not have had the best training camp in the league, the 22 year old has a very nice off-season and will give Piston fans at least something to look forward to in the future.
Tyson Chandler
B- C C A B C
B C C A B+ D
The Bucks come out huge winners in training camp after seeing 31 year old center Tyson Chandler go up in two key categories. The 7’1” center who averaged 8, 11 and 3 blocks last season is now a B inside scorer and a B+ rebounder. Any increase would have been welcomed by Milwaukee as they go in search for a 3rd UOSLR Championship this season and for it to happen to their veteran starting center is a big bonus.
Doron Lamb
C B+ C B+ D+ B
C A- C+ B+ C- B
Doron Lamb enjoyed a healthy first training camp in the UOSLR going up in 3 categories. Taken at 13 by the Milwaukee Bucks, Lamb improved outside (A-), handles (C+) and rebounding (C-) and is the cherry on top of Milwaukee's off-season cake (Dwyane Wade retaining his ratings and Travis Leslies increase included as well).
Gordon Hayward
B- A- C+ B+ C B
B- A- B- A- C+ B
How nice does Hayword look now that he has B- or better in the four categories most important to a small forward? Toronto’s former number 12 pick went up in handles, defense and rebounding giving the Raptors 2 players who underwent a very successful off-season.
Ray McCallum
C+ C+ B+ B- D B
C+ B A B D+ C
The other Raptor who enjoyed success this off-season was newly drafted Ray McCallum. McCallum had one of the best training camps in the league jumping up from a C+ to a B in his outside shot and an incredible B+ to A in handles. McCallum, at 21 years of age, looks like a future stud. If his real potential is higher than his scouted one (which most scouts assume so) then Toronto could have a very nice point guard on their hands.
Losers
Kyle Irving
C+ B A- B+ D+ A
C+ B A- B+ D C
Irving’s scouted potential dropped dramatically from an A to a C in this years training camp. The 3rd overall pick in the 2012 draft entered the league with a lot of promise and has enjoyed steady rating increases since then however has undergone severe ‘value’ damage after coming out of training camp virtually identical minus the aforementioned drop in potential. If Irving had kept his A potential he would still be considered a very valuable commodity at only 22 years of age however at C, it will see a lot of GM’s turn away from potentially acquiring the young point guard.
Eddie Griffin
C+ C+ C A- B D
C+ C+ C B+ B C
Although he only went down once defensively, any sort of decline from a player with C+ C+ C A- B C ratings who is earning a little over $20 million this season is a loss in my books. Griffin’s most valuable asset is his shot-blocking and to see declination in that area is a real blow to the 2001 Rookie of the Year and 2005 Defensive Player of the Year.
Dirk Nowitzki
C+ A C A- A- D
C+ A C A- A- F
After capturing his first UOSLR Championship at age 36, there's only one direction Dirk Nowitzki’s individual career is going from now on in and that is down. New Jersey will be ecstatic that he didn’t lose any ‘skill’ grades however Dirk now carries with him the ‘F potential’ tag along with a $76 million contract which the Nets will be hoping can bag them another Championship even with his steady downfall now in full swing.
Al Jefferson
A- C C- A- A- B
B+ C D+ A- A- C
Jefferson left Chicago in free agency in what can only be described as controversial fashion and the big man didn’t keep quiet in training camp either, dropping potential (B to C) as well as his inside (A- to B+) and handles (C- to D+) rating. Al-Jeff is still an elite power forward however his training camp slump must be comforting if anything for the Bulls.
Derrick Rose
A C B- B C C
A- C C+ B- C C
Wow, can this guy get any worse? Rose was considered the 2nd best player in the 2007 draft class. He won the MVP in the All-Star Rookie game and made the All-Rookie first team in the same season. From there on in though, it’s been a depressing downward spiral for the young point guard. Bust.
Michael Gilchrist
B A- C B B- A
B- A- C B B- A
It’s not all doom and gloom for the 2012 number 1 draft pick however Washington would have been hoping for a big training camp from the 6’8” small forward this season. Unfortunately, all they got was an inside rating drop. After coming off an efficient 19, 7 and 4 season, the Bullets were optimistic entering training camp however will be very disappointing leaving it.
Tomas Satoransky
B- B B C+ C A
C+ B B C+ C B
Satroransky along with the aforementioned Abdul Gaddy were Detroits two of Detrpots three bright spots going into training camp and unfortunately for them, only one came out a winner. Satoransky, a former number 5 pick came into this years training camp with the potential to come out of it with a very impressive rating line however ended up going down inside and losing his converted A potential grade. An unfortunate outcome for the Pistons.
Harrison Barnes
B+ B C- B+ C+ B
B+ B C- B+ B- A
This years number 1 pick goes up only one grade, disappointing. Whats even more disappointing is that the grade he did go up in is rebounding. Unlucky for Detroit.
David Lee
A- C C C A D
B+ C C C A- D
Indiana will be devastated with Lee’s training camp after the 6’9” power forward dropped to a B+ on his inside rating and to an A- for his rebounding rating. Lee, who is probably on one of the nicest contracts in the league was a key factor to the Pacers success last season and carried with him hope of going further this year. Seeing him drop in two key categories for a big man is devastating for Indiana.
