I'm Blue

[MexicanMamba]

Word Count: 3,000



“Yo, listen up, here’s a story about a little guy that lives in a blue world.  And All day and all night, and everything he sees is just blue …”

 

 

Once upon a time I needed points, so I wrote about all the younger purple players in the league and how I would rank them.  This article did its job as it showed me just how flooded with purple we currently are and snagged me my 10 points.  Now? Points are on the menu once again and this time I think I should stop being so snobby and look at everyone else!  Blues (and greens) have feelings too!  So, let’s get a list together of my ranking of these youngsters as well.

 

The Parameters: 

 

1. The player must be under the age of 25.

2. Not yet reached purple potential.

3. Still on their rookie contract. 

 

But before we dive into these beautiful blue waters, let’s make a pitstop into some green, murky, swamp waters. Blue potential youngsters are not the only quality young players out there.  Greens exist too and are your blues of tomorrow!  Hell, your current assist leader is a young green potential player!  But also, not on this list here.  Woops.  Hope he forgives me! 

 

Green Potential Honorable Mentions:

 

1. Chief Kickingstallionsims, PF, Philadelphia 76ers

 

I mostly added this section because I wanted to write this name again.  However, I genuinely do think that this player can become something quite good (and pretty quickly) with a bit of training or positive TCs.  B’s in the right offensive attributes for a PF and B’s and A’s in every necessary defensive one as well, along with decent athleticism.  Unfortunately, we may never see that come to fruition due to the 76ers’ tax situation, but perhaps someone will save him soon (when they actually come around to being willing to let him go that is). 

 

 

2. Andy Elliott, C, Brooklyn Nets

 

Teams always can use skilled big men, particularly with a 7’3, 275 lbs. frame.  Needs some work in a few areas but having A’s in INS, DRB and a B in BLK is a solid foundation for a future Center to fight for an All-Star spot.

 

 

3.  Alfredo Menendez, C/PF, Washington Wizards

 

Similar to Elliott, but with 3 A’s in the key big man traits, much better stamina, and even a B in STL thrown in to boot.  X is generally a patient GM who loves players with great size and defensive traits, so I see big things in his future. 

 

 

And now, the ones that don’t quite make the list who have already hit blue potential.  Honestly, some of these guys may deserve a place in the top 10 itself and I may change my mind as I do the write-ups or after I post.  Whatever.  As of right this moment, I have reasons in my head as to why they belong here and not in the main lineup and I’ll share them when I get to that player.

 

 

Honorably Blue:

 

 

1. Charles Alleman, C, Utah Jazz

 

Alleman could and perhaps should be much higher on this list.  On top of his A’s in INS, PSD and DRB, he also has an incredible 52 JMP rating to go along with his 7’0, 259lbs. body.  He’s also already blue current to go along with his blue potential.  However, he does foul a ton, has low stamina and … well, plays for the Jazz.  Gary is an interesting GM but now always consistent, though is showing some signs lately.  Plus, I have a different Jazz player in the top 10 (and they have 4 or 5 total that could have been here) so, why not drop one of them here?

 

 

 

2. Peyton Siva, PG, Denver Nuggets

 

A young Point Guard with A HND, B PAS and an A in STL is a great place to start.  His 96 QKN is needed with his small frame.  I’d like if he jumped higher and his lack of a dominant scoring potential drops him slightly for me, but if Ryan has the time or energy, he can either develop him into something fun or use him to trade for someone very good down the line. 

 

 

3. Anas Mahmoud, C, Phoenix Suns

 

This is a player that I like a lot, and almost chose to draft him before shifting my sights at the last moment.  He’s incredibly raw/young, massive in size (7’4) and his top potentials are exactly where you’d want them to be.  He falls here on the list because I know he’s on the trade block, so it is hard to say how high I think he can go without knowing exactly who will oversee getting him there.  Still, there is a ton to like in this player. 

 

4. Larry Veloz, SG/SF, New Orleans Pelicans

 

I don’t like his lack of defense and since I personally know the GM, I can say that he is still figuring himself out so, developing his talent vs selling it or how he deploys them is still all very fluid.  On offense, Veloz should shine in a couple of seasons.  If camp is kind to him or Adam decides to invest any points, he could even be a dominant scorer. 

 

5. Gerald Dixon, SG, Atlanta Hawks

 

I love this player and his 4.0 report card on his scoring attributes.  However, it’s the Hawks, so we have no way of knowing when or if Louie will accumulate his points and pay that bill so that he can be active again.  Or if TC won’t destroy him in the next season or two before he hits RFA and gets to go to another team.  If he survives and gets to a new GM?  This dude will be dangerous. 

 

 

Now onto the Crème de la Creams of the Blue Moons.  Or something like that.  The ones which I feel like have the most potential to explode and become stars in this league, especially if they are properly loved and cared for by their GMs. 

 

 

Blue 10:

 

 

10.  Alphonse Morelock, SF, Houston Rockets

 

I’d already move him down to the honorable mention section, but I’ve already written those and so, it’s too late to turn back now.  Morelock is currently starting at SF for the Rockets and is having a nice season while complementing Suggs and Silva.  He’s averaging nearly 15 PPG and hitting shooting splits of 52-80-42, which is pretty impressive, especially for a 2nd year player who is a true 2nd year player.  Though he is 6’8, ultimately I think his best position will be as a small ball PF.  He has the strength (84) to hold up there along with A potential in PSD and BLK and a B in ORB, which is already fully developed.  He would need some work with his DRB and INS traits to truly thrive at PF, but it wouldn’t take too much to get him in the perfect position in those areas.  His athleticism would make him a matchup nightmare at that position as well with 76 QKN and 65 JMP. 

 

9.  Tony Parris, C, Orlando Magic

 

I like having dominant bigs, so that thought probably puts Tony Parris up a tad higher than he should be.  I also drafted him, so that might also have something to do with it.  Whatever, its my list, so … suck it.  The negatives first: Though he’s a 7-footer, he’s also a tad light in the ass compared to others of that size (243 lbs.) and it’d be better if he had a STR rating in the mid-90s at least, but it sits at 87.  Generally, an offensive trait that separates a good big from a great one is their JMP rating (though there are exceptions. Just look at Ronny Asher) and Parris is not looking great in that aspect.  What I do like though is that he will score inside at a high level, play defense and rebound at a respectable level, and will excel at blocking shots due to his height and leaping ability.  Another underrated bonus is that he never fouls and has maxed out stamina, so he will be able to play massive minutes as soon as he’s developed enough to warrant starting. 

 

8. Herb Jones, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers

 

Athletic freak, great size and high-end Point Guard potential.  Herb Is already playing, starting, and averaging 17 PPG with shooting splits of 50-90-40.  Another one that should probably be higher than this on my list, but I just wish he offered anything of value on the defensive end of the floor.  Pauly is a very active GM as well as loyal one to his key players (look how long he kept Diakite, even when it became obvious the smart move was to deal him away) so I anticipate that Jones will be trained and insured and given every opportunity to thrive in Indiana. 

 

7. Leroy Johnston, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors

 

Offensively, Johnston is very similar to Herb Jones but without the Point Guard abilities.  He is also not quite the athlete that Herb is, though Johnston is no slouch in that department with his 75 QKN and JMP ability.  The reason that I put Leroy Johnston slightly above Herb, is that he has near elite-level defensive potential, which I love.  It is not just the PRD and STL potentials either, but he also has the ability to rebound on that end of the court, which should be maximized by his athleticism and size.  This season, he is not producing as well as Jones is, but I think Johnston is currently being asked to take a backseat to more players than Herb is.  Once McAlister is off the Raptors next season, I think an offense built around Ridenhour passes to Mobley and Johnston can really soar. 

 

6. Ned Lomax, PF, New Orleans Pelicans

 

If Ned Lomax had been drafted by a GM with more experience, he might have ended up my #1 player on this list.  If not that high, he would have found himself firmly in the top 3.  Besides him being my cousin, another big motivation for me to whip this GM into shape is to not see Lomax wasted.  Not only is he an Ohio State Buckeye, but he has elite potential as a small, but dynamic Power Forward.  Two potential knocks on him are his athletic traits (at 6’9 it would be beneficial for him to have QKN and JMP ratings in the 40s at least) and his JPS.  Other than that, however, he has everything you’d want at the PF position.  A’s in INS, ORB, DRB, and BLK are crucial to the success of that position.  Throw in B’s in PSD and STL for good measure as well and Lomax will be a great 2-way player over time.  I think the best comp for Lomax is a young Danny Campbell.  Hopefully he reaches those heights. 

 

5. Lenz Durrenberger, PG/SG, Minnesota Timberwolves

 

The freakiest athletic freak of all of the athletic freaks on this freakin’ list.  There are things about his game that I would attempt to pump points into to fix (more defense!) and another A in scoring wouldn’t hurt, but that level of athleticism can help mask a lot of shortcomings elsewhere.  There is plenty of development needed with the Big German, but if Raby gets a renewed sense of motivation, Lenz will stand along side Thybulle and Moody and form quite an imposing group on the wing.  Even at this raw stage, Durrenberger’s shooting splits aren’t too bad and should get better unless TC decides it needs a major sacrifice in the Timberwolves’ name. 

 

4. Ken Dirks, PF, Orlando Magic

 

Prior to the TC Gods smiling down on Andy, Orlando and Dirks, I don’t think Dirks would have been any higher than my honorable mentions section, and yet, here we are.  Dirks is incredibly similar to Lomax now, except with better JMP ability.  With Andy at the helm of his development (currently at least, since we know Andy could move him at any point to build around Manley faster), I have more confidence in his likelihood to reach his max potential.  Dirks will be able to score inside, rebound and shoot free throws while adding high potential in every major defensive category as well.  He probably will not be cheap after his upcoming restricted free agency, but I feel like he’s a worthwhile piece to have around long-term. 

 

 

From this point on, I could have listed any of these at #1 and felt comfortable and confident in doing so. 

 

 

 

3. Safi Fino-A-Laself, PG/SG/SF, Los Angeles Clippers

 

This youngster is very near and dear to my heart.  The one thing I’ve not yet tried to do since joining the league is taking a player that I drafted (Hell, I barely ever keep my picks) and truly and fully develop them.  I mentioned it briefly up above, but I almost did not draft Safi because I was leaning towards the player that would be renamed Anas Mahmoud.  It was a last second re-visit to their player pages that got me to change my mind.  Safi’s athletic traits initially scared me off.  A wing with QKN in the 40s?  What the hell was I supposed to do with that!?  Well, then I looked back at his 3 A’s and a B in his scoring potentials along with his HND.  He also had strong potentials defensively as well and I realized that they only things keeping him from a color change (he was green potential at the time) were those athletic traits.  So, I threw caution out and decided to just take a chance on him.  His first TC he was boosted in more key areas and went blue.  I knew it was time to finally develop someone from the ground up.  Since then I’ve used points to train his QKN and more potentials and currently his potentials look like this: 

A B A A B A B B D (HOW’D YOU GET HERE!?) B B A. 

I’ve redshirted him his 1st season and to this point in his 2nd season.  He’s still only 20-years old as well, so there are YEARS of insurance ahead.  The sneaky bonus to him not having great athleticism right off the bat is that it gives me plenty of room to get more of those B’s to A’s before I lose the ability to train him at all.  Since he’s not seen the floor yet, who knows what exactly he’ll end up being when he does play, but I am genuinely excited to find out. 

 

 

2. Angelo Romero, PF, Utah Jazz

 

Another player that could easily be #1 on this list.  I’ll drop him down to #2 for some of the reasons I mentioned in my honorable mentions section regarding Alleman.  Basketball reasons only however? The only drawback to Romero is that he fouls entirely too much (4.3 per game in 33 minutes).  He’s got good size for a PF, decent enough strength, quickness and athletic ability.  Everywhere else?  He has the ability to be an elite PF.  He is going to be able to score from every spot on the court, pass and rebound with nothing below a B in all the scoring attributes, rebounding and PSD AND passing.  I suppose you could want him to be more of a shot blocker, but that feels like just being greedy.  Though an allocation of points by a focused GM could certainly fix that problem without much hassle.  Romero has started every game for the Jazz since he came into the league, getting better every year.  This season he is averaging nearly 18 PPG 9 REB 3 AST in 33 minutes.  I can only imagine what he could get to if/when his fouling issues can be kept in-check. 

 

 

1. Darius Garland, PG, Los Angeles Lakers

 

The primary reason that I have Mr. Garland sitting here at #1 is his General Manager.  I speak with Jon very often, so I know what kinds of plans he has for Darius and, more importantly, I know just how motivated he is to train Garland up as high as possible.  It’s probably because he wants to feel validated for trading Caruso for him straight up, but the motivation is strong regardless how it got there!  Garland is absolutely the prototype for a dominant Point man.  As a personal preference, I wish his ability to steal the ball wasn’t atrocious but everything else is top tier.  He’s going to be able to score at will, get his teammates involved (without turning the ball over too much) and play great on-ball defense.  The icing on the cake is his athleticism is off the charts (100 QKN, 81 JMP), which is a great neutralizer for his lack of size.  He has a bit of early He Hor or poor man’s Lu Dort in him, though not quite on that level (especially not Dort’s prime).  Small PGs with elite scoring, passing and athleticism.  He better be capable of those highs though, because he’s about to become a MAX player after this upcoming RFA period.  A price that I am sure Jon (and everyone with cap space) is going to be happy to pay. 

 

 

There you have it!  The bluest list in the SLOE Universe.  Again, I would probably shift some of these around already, but it’s a good enough list.  Also, just because your player is not on here doesn’t mean I think they can’t or won’t be a good player as well.  I think I had something like 25 players eligible for this list, and a handful played for the same teams so, I kind of wanted to spread the love out a little bit when I felt that I was able to.  There’s also a number of young players that would be on this list but have already gotten their 2nd contract, so, hey shout out to all of those guys too!  (Looking at you Les Kim and Matisse Thybulle!)  


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[greepleairport]

3K+ words, +10pts