The Straight Hoop

Every championship team has one. The player that just makes sense. A player that bridges the gaps in every other players game. The Heat have Shane Battier, OKC has Thabo Sefolosha, and the Spurs have every role player ever. Without these role players established championship contenders would find there window for a championship significantly smaller. These players need more recognition outside their home arena. So here's to you Lance Stephenson, for your evolution into one of the most role-iest of role players. The Pacers have been absolute monsters through the early goings of this season and Lance Stephenson's role can not be understated. The Pacers starting lineup has posted Of Rtg of 114 and a Def Rtg of 80 points per 100 possessions through 5 games. Lance Stephenson has taken his game to the next level, building off of the career year he had last season. The most interesting aspect of Stephenson's evolution is just how well it jives with how the Pacers operate. Pace

Trades are an understood part of the NBA. Player swaps and moves become second nature from some. These are mostly rotation players swapping teams and contract flotsam to balance everything out. This is the normal and see it every season. However, every once in a while the trade of a superstar happens and captures the collective basketball consciousness of everyone even remotely interested. These trades can be a drawn out nightmare or quick, unexpected thrillers. Either way, there will always be questions. Which brings me to a trade that has been discussed from multiple angles and shifted the destiny of a potentially dominant team. Yes its the Harden trade everybody; the most interestingly disappointing trade in a long time.  . Now, I have already go on record to say that OKC might have not gotten fleeced by Daryl Morey and that what they got is pretty good compensation for the budding star of Harden. Completely change my mind. Never been more wrong about anything NBA relat

Competing in the NBA is such a multifaceted idea. One of the most compelling story lines in the NBA is how late season seeding will shake out. An interesting aspect of the playoffs is what they actually mean for each individual team. For most situations it would seem the expectations of the 1 seed would be vastly different than the 8 seed. But then there are the Bucks. With a win now owner the mere act of making the playoffs is a win. Unfortunately, when you are perpetually in "Win now" hoping to be playing meaningful games past April may not be the best idea. In the Bucks case though, those first round playoff exits seem to be season goals. I would go as far to say that the ceiling for every Bucks team constructed under this win now philosophy would be the East's seventh seed. I would also go as far to say that finishing with that low seed is the worst place for a team in the Bucks position. For one, the talent drop off from the 1,2,3,4,5 to the 6,7,8 seeds is about as