Michael Pina - Basketball Analysis

Rondo Doing Vintage Rondo Things Since The Break

by Michael Pina

Mar 27, 2017 10:40 AM

The one-two punch of a shifting league and Father Time have already won Rajon Rondo's battle. But this stretch may just save Rondo's career. Put the ball in his hands, surround him with shooters, and decent NBA offense can be yours-in limited minutes. Read more »

Tags: Rajon Rondo, Chicago Bulls, NBA

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How Bojan Bogdanovic Has Turned Into A Monster With The Wizards

by Michael Pina

Mar 8, 2017 6:22 PM

Washington targeted him for Bojan Bogdanovic for two reasons: 1) a hope that his offense can stabilize one of the worst bench units in the entire NBA, and 2) that his outside shot and size will add another pick-your-poison element to their John Wall, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter trio. Read more »

Tags: Bojan Bogdanovic, Washington Wizards, NBA

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NBA Trade Deadline Winners & Losers

by Michael Pina

Feb 23, 2017 6:10 PM

While the 76ers, Kings, Pacers, Bulls and Pistons were the biggest losers of the deadline, the winners were Nerlens Noel, the Rockets, Raptors and Hornets. Read more »

Tags: NBA

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How The Heat Shockingly Became A Juggernaut

by Michael Pina

The Heat started the year off as a disjointed group of castoffs on minimum deals, flawed prospects in the infant stages of development, and talented veterans who're better off on a team that isn't in need of a transformative overhaul. Read more »
Lillard, McCollum And Portland's Lack Of Flexibility

by Michael Pina

Lillard and McCollum are reasons 1A and 1B why the Blazers shouldn't panic, but their flaws inflame fundamental weaknesses, creating understandable long-term question marks regarding their ability to coexist. Read more »
Paul George, Still A Superstar?

by Michael Pina

Amid Indiana's relative struggle, Paul George is his most efficient self; the addition of several offensive-minded players has removed the ball from his hands. But subtle signs of decline may be creeping into the frame. Read more »
The Wolves' Startlingly Bad Defense

by Michael Pina

As a group, the Wolves don't hustle back, constantly lose track of their halfcourt assignments, foul a bunch, and have poor individual defenders up and down their roster. Read more »
Trading Wilson Chandler Makes Too Much Sense For Everyone

by Michael Pina

Players like Wilson Chandler don't grow on his trees and his usefulness would increase dramatically on a championship contender, or even any team one rung below. Read more »
Eric Gordon As The Rockets' Diet Harden

by Michael Pina

The Rockets signed Eric Gordon for two fundamental reasons: 1) to create space for James Harden, 2) to prevent their high-powered offense from melting down whenever Harden needs rest. Read more »
DeMar DeRozan Becoming The Franchise Player Few Expected

by Michael Pina

DeMar DeRozan doesn't evolve every year, so much as he relentlessly enhances what he's already really good at. His career has been an annual step in the right direction. Read more »
Thunder Continue Anticlimactic Way To Build Around A Top-Five Player

by Michael Pina

Even if Steven Adams and/or Victor Oladipo reach their potential, these deals still put a cap on Oklahoma City's ceiling while Russell Westbrook is a triple-double-averaging gargoyle. Read more »
Unlocking Jabari Parker's Underlying All-Star Potential In Year 3

by Michael Pina

This season isn’t a make-or-break year. But Jabari Parker's growth is critical for a growing team that needs him to do more than roam off the ball, stand in the corner and attack in transition. With the ball in his hands, he'll have to make plays for others, read help defenders and knock down a higher percentage of his outside shots. Read more »
Tom Thibodeau's Restraint And Foresight In His First Minnesota Offseason

by Michael Pina

If Tom Thibodeau and Scott Layden's first offseason is any indication of how they'll operate over the next few years - tempered, shrewd and logical - the Timberwolves will eventually do what everyone expects: Devour. Read more »
Re-Doing The 2011 NBA Draft

by Michael Pina

Technically, every NBA draft alters the course of basketball history, but 2011's was special. Five years later, it presents dozens of significant What Ifs? Read more »
The Trade Market For Brook Lopez

by Michael Pina

The Nets should trade Brook Lopez. They're awful and need to collect as many long-term assets as they can. The assumption that they can get any by selling Lopez to the highest bidder may be false. He's a pretty good player, but right now an obvious trade partner doesn't exist. Read more »
Solving The Knicks' Offense With Carmelo Anthony As Stretch-Four

by Michael Pina

For the second summer in a row, the Knicks were content fictionalizing a facade of ambition. At least their roster is more talented, athletic and versatile than before. They also have Jeff Hornacek, and should be able to use Carmelo Anthony as a stretch four once again. Read more »
Why The Celtics Should Hunker Down, Not Disrupt Asset Base

by Michael Pina

At the cost of well-crafted continuity and an undeniably positive culture, would moving, say, two or three rotation players and both Brooklyn picks for Superstar X vault them ahead of the Cavaliers and Warriors? It would not. Read more »
The Kings' Sudden, Surprising Restraint

by Michael Pina

Sacramento has (for the most part) avoided any self-inflicting wounds this offseason. Instead, they've tapped the brakes and signed modest free agents on fliers that won't hurt their long-term cap sheet. Read more »
The Trade Value Of Russell Westbrook

by Michael Pina

What could the Thunder trade Russell Westbrook for in the final year of his contract if Kevin Durant signs elsewhere? We look at the seven teams who need a point guard and have an attractive package to offer. Read more »
LeBron's Jumper: The Most Important Variable In The Finals

by Michael Pina

LeBron's relationship with his jumper is more confusing than ever before. He's in a predicament every time he rises up to shoot, but the Cavaliers are just about impossible to stop when he strikes the proper inside-outside balance. Read more »