Rufus on Fire: All Posts by Ben Swanson

Bobcats draft workout tumbleweeds, Len and Zeller come to town

2013-06-18T17:06:23Z

There hasn't been much news out of Charlotte lately, even with the draft only a mere nine days away.

Pretty much every team reports their workouts with prospects for media availability, but the Bobcats have been noticeably quiet. It's been an odd silence from a team that has the fourth overall pick in the upcoming draft, it's fourth top-10 pick in three years. What seems to be the case is that they just haven't been scheduling many workouts. With three of the top big men prospects injured and unable to display their skills, the Bobcats short list of players must have gotten shorter for pre-draft viewings.

Still, in the past the team has had loaded schedules with player workouts. Because Charlotte dealt their second round pick to the Thunder, limiting themselves to a single pick in the draft looks to remain the plan. By not scheduling even the lesser-hyped late-first, early-second round prospects, the Bobcats seems to be completely satisfied not acquiring another late pick, which some could interpret as the team not doing its due diligence in looking at the prospects flying under the radar.

Anyway, there is some news from Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, as scarce as the scene is.

ICYMI: Thoughts on Alex Len as he meets with the Charlotte Bobcats today: http://t.co/k5FfadACGw
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) June 18, 2013

As far as Len's injury goes, he expects to be back running in August and fully ready for training camp in October.

Alex Len has been one of the more intriguing prospects in this year's draft. He already has the base for being a serviceable big man, with good agility, solid athleticism, size, shotblocking skills and decent touch around the rim with either hand. Mainly the concern with Len is his foot injury (stress fracture) and developing his offense to an NBA level. Due to the Bobcats severe lack of talent in the frontcourt, they will have to seriously evaluate Len's possible impact and whether he'd be their best pick at No. 4.

In other frontcourt prospect news, apparently Cody Zeller is coming to visit the Bobcats Wednesday, though no other top picks will be there.

I hear Indiana's Cody Zeller coming in for a workout with the Bobcats Wednesday. Don't anticipate any other 4th-pick candidates Wednesday.
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) June 18, 2013

Zeller is another highly touted big man like Len, but Zeller is much more polished. Coming out of Indiana, Cody Zeller made his name as solid jump-shooter with good scoring instincts, nice touch around the rim, NBA-ready size and a good repertoire of offensive moves in the post. The main concerns with Zeller are his length and his ability to maintain position in the post. With a wingspan and standing reach well shorter than the average measurements of players his height, he could have some issues on defense in trying to defend entry passes, obstructing passing lanes and views of the court, or on offense finishing over big men, or being able to be a good rebounder. Though he's 7 feet tall, Zeller struggles to not get pushed around in the paint at times and he'll need to add on some more bulk to help that.

The Bobcats certainly are looking at a frontcourt player for their No. 4 pick, but I wouldn't count out much of anything. I'm not sure anyone outside the organization has an idea who they're going to take.

2013 NBA Playoffs highlights: Heat pull away on the road to tie the series

2013-06-14T13:00:07Z

After a loss as big as the one Miami suffered in San Antonio in the last game, you had to figure we'd see a different performance out of them Thursday night. It didn't quite show up in full until the fourth quarter, but it arrived with plenty of time.

In the first few minutes, it seemed like the Spurs were picking up where they left off. Danny Green hit a three and San Antonio quickly grabbed a 10-point lead. Tony Parker had a questionable hamstring before the game, but it looked fine in the first half.

But LeBron James and Dwyane Wade seemed much more assertive, as well, combining for 19 points in the first half. Chris Bosh did well too, especially on defense, even if he did do this.

Despite being down by double-digits early, Miami gained its own double-digit lead in the second quarter. However, basketball is a game of runs, as we are told every game by the television set. San Antonio countered on the shoulders of Tony Parker.

At the half, the game was tied. The Spurs tweaked their lineup, bringing an energized Boris Diaw in to start the second half and Miami again started Mike Miller. The third quarter was truly a fantastic back-and-forth defensive battle with solid offense execution facing better defenses.

Among some of the best plays of that quarter, we saw Kawhi Leonard hit a wild and-one layup...

...and LeBron block Tim Duncan.

It seemed like the game was headed for a heated close duel for the fourth quarter. But then the wheels fell off for the Spurs. Their offense sputtered and was stunted by Miami's terrific defense, led by James, Wade and Bosh, of course.

Wade reminded us of the dynamic superstar player we didn't see much in the Indiana series and at times in this series, too. He was all over the place, picking up steals, leading fast breaks, drawing fouls and throwing down some slam dunkaroos.

With the Spurs struggling, the Heat pulled away for the 109-93 win to even the series at 2-2 and ensure at least one more home game for them.

Dwyane Wade puts the team on his back for the fastbreak dunk

2013-06-14T03:25:35Z

Whether he's healthy or not, this type of Dwyane Wade is the scariest, make-you-crap-your-pantsiest, rawest force of nature Dwyane Wade you can get.

LeBron blocks Tim Duncan's layup

2013-06-14T03:03:49Z

A) Shout-out to Manu Ginobili for a wicked behind-the-head no-look pass to Tim Duncan.

B) And bigger ups to LeBron for smacking it out of there.

Chris Bosh goes for the vicious dunk annnnnd NOPE

2013-06-14T02:30:55Z

As the Spurs roared back to tie the game at 49, the Heat had a chance to take a small lead going into halftime. Chris Bosh took the ball and drove towards the middle and threw down a thunderous jam.

Oh, but wait! It was after the buzzer. Cue the The Price is Right sad horn.

Tony Parker can find any opening for a layup

2013-06-14T02:24:10Z

Here is Tony Parker doing crazy things with a basketball against some of the best players in the world.

And here is the music video to go with it. The title translated from French is "The beauty and the bad boy."

MC Solaar - La belle et le bad boy - Kassded (via Kassded)

Chris Bosh flops trying to avoid contact, is rewarded for no reason

2013-06-14T02:07:57Z

What? I mean, I get that Bosh might have been trying to get out of Wade's way (I think?) but such a bad call.

Just no.

It's flop central tonight out that joint...Bosh deserves an award lol
— Jeff Green (@unclejeffgreen) June 14, 2013

Gregg Popovich sits on the bench to let Tony Parker coach

2013-06-14T01:53:53Z

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is on Easy Street now that Tony Parker has apparently absorbed the master coach's techniques and tendencies.

Or maybe they're going to switch roles and we can see Pop guarding LeBron!