"What if... there was an MVP trophy awarded, who would it be for the Brooklyn Nets"?

by Wilfredo Lee/ AP from http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/plumlee-blocks-lebron-final-play-nets-sweep-heat-article-1.1750239

           I can see Mason Plumlee as the future of the Brooklyn Nets. His work ethic and defensive presence reminds me of Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers. Blake Griffin's game developed faster because the team wasn't a playoff team. In Griffin's rookie year, the next best player behind him was Eric Gordon, who looked like a max contract player at the time. The Clippers also had Eric Bledsoe but he was also a rookie like Griffin who didn't have much playing time. With Kevin Garnett moving back to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Plumlee will have more minutes. I would not be surprised if Mason Plumlee averages 15 points and 10 rebounds next season. The Brooklyn Nets are not a young team and Plumlee has the ability to improve his game which is hard work. If he can develop a consistent mid-range jumper and a low-post game, the Brooklyn Nets might be a top 4 team in the Eastern Conference. Deron Williams and Brook Lopez are suppose to be the center pieces of the franchise but instead are more of a liability than an asset. The organization needs to acquire younger pieces because Mason Plumlee is an energy-type player who can be effective as a starter or coming off the bench. His offense is not quite there and through time, he can play at both ends of the floor. I don't see Plumlee being traded in the near future.

What if... the Phoenix Suns had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Reuters/File from http://www.christianpost.com/news/la-lakers-trade-rumors-news-2014-eric-bledsoe-trade-would-be-unlikely-126722/

                                         
          The last spot in the Western Conference playoffs is between the New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Phoenix Suns. This will be an on-going battle for the rest of the season. The West is just so deep and the position of the teams in the West will come down to the wire. Much similar to a team like the Atlanta Hawks, the Suns have great players but not superstar players. The Hawks have improved dramatically because of the return of Al Horford. He is the anchor of their defense and without him, there's no rim protector. As long as they play team basketball, they will win games with a record of 37-8, a franchise best.

          Alex Len of the Phoenix Suns, has been a nice addition since being inserted into the starting lineup. He has provided a solid contribution with increased minutes since his rookie season. What he needs to work on is his body because he's going to take a beating if he wants to compete with other centers in the league like Dwight Howard or Marc Gasol. We will see where he progresses from here. But signing the Morris brothers in the offseason, which I thought, was a great decision for the organization. The Suns have enough stability in the forward position and Markieff Morris, at times, can play center if they decide to go with a smaller lineup. Both Markieff and Marcus can shoot the ball as well as handle the ball which is a great skill to have if you're a big man. I think their resolution should be defense. We know what they are capable of scoring but defense wins championship.

          The three-headed monster between Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic, and Isiaah Thomas is a match-up nightmare for the league. Just not when they play defense. The Suns score an average of 107.4 points per game, good for 3rd in the league. But that doesn't generate wins as they allow 105.3 points per game. I believe they are one player away from contending for a title. Someone like Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green who can guard Lebron James and Kevin Durant. They could work on their interior defense as well. Until they change from their high octane offense system, they are only trying to get into the playoffs. The West is just too competitive as they are in the 8th seed for now. Don't be surprised if they fall down one or two spots. Can they commit themselves defensively for 48 minutes?

What if... the Miami Heat had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Starting Blocks, Associated Press from http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2010/06/lebron_james_dwyane_wade_and_c.html

         
          It hurts how Lebron James left the Miami Heat in the offseason. James moved on with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade has to play without him. Bosh has to go back to the roots when he was with the Toronto Raptors. He is almost averaging 22 points and 8 rebounds per game. They are fighting for playoff position but this will be the first time in five years they are not considered as a title contending team. They are a below .500 team and without Bosh, they wouldn't be a playoff team at all. Dwyane Wade just turned 33 years old ( Happy Birthday, Dwyane Wade!) and unfortunately we can't turn back time. However, they do have Mario Chalmers who has been stepping up his game after the absence of Lebron James. Luol Deng has done a solid job averaging 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds but not enough to cover for James. They need more help if they want to pass the first round this season.

         What's the next move for Pat Riley? There were rumors floating around trading for Brook Lopez or Lance Stephenson. Certainly Brook Lopez would shift Chris Bosh to the power forward spot but it doesn't help the team defensively. We can talk all day about Lance Stephenson's attitude and his role with the Charlotte Hornets. Dwyane Wade doesn't have many years left in the league with his nagging knees causing him to miss a bunch of games each season. They need to go out and find a point guard or develop Norris Cole. He's been in the league for only three years and he has plenty of potential because he can drive into the paint with his speed like Eric Bledsoe and hit the three-point shot. The Miami Heat has to adjust their game and it's certainly going to take time while blossoming center Hassan Whiteside was a great pickup. He had a 23 points and 16 rebounds game in under 30 minutes against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Miami Heat will need to rely on their young players for them to rebuild their organization after Lebron James left.

What If... the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Victor Oladipo instead of Anthony Bennett as the first overall selection of the 2013 NBA draft?

by John Dodderidge from http://hoopshabit.com/2013/12/18/cleveland-cavaliers-weekly-kyrie-irving-shines-cavs-drop-2-3/2/

          Point guards are an essential part of the league. Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe, who plays for the Phoenix Suns, are very effective when they are on the floor together. Fast, relentless, and can attack the paint. Many teams are running the two points guards back court such as the Miami Heat with Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers, Oklahoma City Thunder with Russell Westbrook and Reggie Jackson. It's worth pointing out how well Victor Oladipo was going to play out of Indiana University. That goes for every college player in general. But how exciting would it be to see Victor Oladipo and Kyrie Irving on the floor at the same time? Every game could have involved a spectacular play with "ooo's and ahh'"s. Too bad we can't turn back the clock. Instead, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett as the first overall pick. Bennett saw limited minutes and was eventually traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, part of the Kevin Love trade. Since the trade to the Timberwolves, he has played inconsistent minutes and comes off the bench. Would Victor Oladipo and Kyrie Irving be a bad/good/great backcourt for the Cleveland Cavaliers?