We’re back with another edition of Boom or Bust NBA. You can find previous articles on the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks, by clicking the team names. You can find an article explaining the purpose of the article as well as the methodology of the prospect scores here.
And on with the show.
New Orleans Hornets
2011-2012 Record – 21-45
After trading away Chris Paul and then losing newly acquired Eric Gordon for most of the season, the Hornets finished with the worst record in the Western conference. The tank-rebuild method is a well-known strategy in the league; so we can’t exactly call their misfortunes-turned-first-pick a blessing in disguise.
Al-Farouq Aminu
Age – 21, Previous Season Stats – 6.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 0.9 SPG
Aminu comes from a long line of lottery pick small forwards who become average NBA role players at best. There’s one of them in every draft. Earl Clark in 09, Joe Alexander in 08, Julian Wright/Al Thornton in 07, and the list goes on. They are not all the same player but they are all at least decently athletic, long, lacking an advanced offensive game, and in most cases, missing a reliable jump shot. Impact-wise, none of these guys have made a significant splash in the league.
Returning from an unsuccessful run with the Nigerian team in the Olympics, Aminu could be taking the starting small forward spot on a very young Hornets team. Like the other lottery small forwards, Aminu has the physical tools to succeed. He is a good rebounder for a perimeter player, and his length allows him to accumulate steals and blocks at a solid clip. Howver, he is a poor shooter and does not possess a competitive offensive game. Aminu would benefit from being on a team with more offensive direction. But right now, heading into his third season, the 6’9 forward still has plenty of potential, and could be a big part of the up and coming Hornets.
Prospect Score – 5/10
Ryan Anderson
Age – 24, Previous Season Stats – 16.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.7 3PM, 39.3 3P%
The reigning Most Improved Player. I wouldn’t argue that he didn’t deserve it, but there was a better candidate, and his name was Jeremy Lin.
NBA player awards aside, Ryan Anderson was an absolute stud last season, posting up career numbers across the board. The playoffs were a different story, but with his playing style at a tender age of 24, Anderson has many seasons to prove himself.
As well as being one of the top shooters in the NBA, Ryan Anderson is also the best ‘stretch 4’ role player. He is not one dimensional at all, and actually posted a higher offensive rebound percentage than Dwight Howard last season.
Anderson is a bit of a defensive liability, but having Davis and Aminu as your frontcourt teammates covers up for that a little. The Hornets might be playing a small line up with Anderson at the 4 and Davis at the 5, but with all their youth and athleticism, if any team were to play with an up-tempo style, it’d be these guys.
Prospect Score – 6/10
Eric Gordon
Age – 23, Previous Season Stats – 20.6 PPG, 3.4 APG, 1.4 SPG
While his future in New Orleans is still uncertain, Eric Gordon is undoubtedly one of the top young players. At 6’3, Eric Gordon is one of the few undersized shooting guards who can succeed and play as if they were 6’6. Gordon is explosive, and is as much of a scorer as he is a shooter.
If you don’t count last season with the Hornets, Gordon’s assists numbers have also gone up progressively in his career, and with this season’s backcourt situation, I could easily see Rivers and Gordon each averaging around 4-5 assists a game as they alternate point guard duties.
Most people know that Eric Gordon was one of the league’s top shooting guards before he went down. I definitely would have given him the ‘star’ label. The next step for Gordon is to take that next step and become an elite player. I don’t think he will ever reach that level, but I could see him being a pseudo-elite player, somewhere along the lines of Pau Gasol.
Prospect Score – 8/10
Xavier Henry
Age – 21, Previous Season Stats – 5.3 PPG, 2.4 RPG. 0.8 APG
Xavier Henry put up eerily similar college numbers as another 6’6 Kansas Jayhawk, Brandon Rush. Henry came in to the league as one of the youngest players, and his game has not translated at all. Despite being an over 40% shooter from 3 in college, Henry shoots 26.5% for his career, and has only made 9 threes throughout 83 games.
Henry is still very young, and his best-case scenario would be to model his game after Brandon Rush. If he can regain confidence in his jump shot and work on his defense, he could be a halfway decent role player in the league.
Prospect Score – 3/10
Robin Lopez
Age – 24, Previous Season Stats – 5.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 0.9 BPG
Combine the skillsets of both Lopez twins, and you’d have a strong contender for the best center in the NBA. You always wonder how twins can have such different skillsets in the league. Brook is a monster scoring in the low post but can’t play a lick of defense and is a terrible rebounder. Robin is a good defender, and not a bad rebounder, and has much range on his shooting as DeSagana Diop. Maybe basketball in the Lopez driveway consisted of Brook consistently trying to score on Robin, while Papa Lopez rebounds. That should explain the poor effort on the glass.
Lopez should see some quality rotation minutes at the 5. Robin is not a good passer at all (23 assists through his first three seasons playing regular minutes), so he cannot be relied on to maximize his teammates offensive potential.
Robin is still a good big body to have around, and if he can just keep working on rebounding, blocking shots, and playing good defense, his unnecessary large payday (for being a 7-footer) will come soon.
Prospect Score – 3.5/10
Jason Smith
Age – 26, Previous Season Stats – 9.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.0 BPG
A very under the radar guy, Jason Smith made huge improvements to his game and probably would have gotten more attention if he didn’t play for the sorry Hornets. His rebounding is not impressive (7.5 rebounds per 36 minutes) but he’s been doubling his touches and scoring production, while also upping his field goal percentage to an impressive 52%. There has been a few times this past season when Jason Smith has completely taken over on offense, so big props to Smith.
He is by far one of the most underrated players in the league. Smith will be battling Lopez to be third guy on the Hornets’ big man rotation, and currently I like Smith’s chances. I don’t think it is likely that the Hornets will be holding on to Smith for long, so whoever Jason’s next team is will have found an absolute steal.
Prospect Score – 4/10
Lance Thomas
Age – 24, Previous Season Stats – 4.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG
Lance Thomas was part of the Duke team that beat the Gordon Hayward-led Butler Cinderella squad. Thomas got into some serious trouble for some controversy over unpaid jewelry, and having large unexplained sums of money. My favorite part of big time college athletes receiving money is that people always sound surprised that illegal benefits have been happening away from the public eye.
I don’t know too much about Lance, but he is essentially a tweener who was able to make his way into the league by signing a contract with one of the worst teams in the league. He was added to the Team USA Select Team—a team that also had bright young studs like DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George, Gordon Hayward, and Kyrie Irving. I don’t see Thomas staying in the league much longer or ever getting a role more important than a 12th man, but the Team USA Select Team selection has to mean something.
Or…. Nevermind. I just remembered Coach K is the Team USA head coach and he was probably doing Lance a favor.
Prospect Score – 1/10
Greivis Vasquez
Age – 25, Previous Season Stats – 8.9 PPG, 5.4 APG, 0.9 SPG
Greivis Vasquez possesses great size for a point guard, and his 6’6 body has a mind of a true floor general. Vasquez spent his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies and spelled Mike Conley for some very productive bench minutes.
Last season’s assist percentage of 35.7% puts him in good company, and as the only pure point guard on the Hornets roster, Vasquez could be in position to have a very productive season. His shooting is average at best, but that should not stop him from earning minutes.
Prospect Score – 4/10
