HoopsAnalyst
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Doing deep dives on NBA, past & present
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contact: harlanhoops at yahoo dot com
www.hoopsanalyst.com
contact: harlanhoops at yahoo dot com
From the 02-03 Basketball Prospectus, the Shaq-Kobe Lakers of 99-02 are compared with other 3-year dynasties and they come in the middle of the pack....explanation below...
November 28, 2025 at 2:28 AM
From the 02-03 Basketball Prospectus, the Shaq-Kobe Lakers of 99-02 are compared with other 3-year dynasties and they come in the middle of the pack....explanation below...
Bonus Hollander POTD Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. UCLA legend drafted 1st by MIL in 69 & had 29 ppg, 14.5 rpg as rook. Stat peak was 35 pg in 71-72. Won title in MIL but forced trade to LAL in 75 where he won MVPs and titles. This bio is 1st and last time he was mentioned w/John Denver.
November 27, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Bonus Hollander POTD Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. UCLA legend drafted 1st by MIL in 69 & had 29 ppg, 14.5 rpg as rook. Stat peak was 35 pg in 71-72. Won title in MIL but forced trade to LAL in 75 where he won MVPs and titles. This bio is 1st and last time he was mentioned w/John Denver.
Hollander POTD Larry Bird. The Legend's bio from his season where he won his 2nd title & his 1st MVP. Per this bio: "MVP for season, MVP for playoffs, MVP for universe." He would go on to win 3 MVPs in a row. Bird came in 2nd in the MVP vote the prior 3 years too.
November 27, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Hollander POTD Larry Bird. The Legend's bio from his season where he won his 2nd title & his 1st MVP. Per this bio: "MVP for season, MVP for playoffs, MVP for universe." He would go on to win 3 MVPs in a row. Bird came in 2nd in the MVP vote the prior 3 years too.
From Dave Heeren's 1994-95 Basketball Abstract, a review of the 86 & 87 drafts:
-Len Bias' rate of improvement was staggering and exceed even Stockton's
-86's best run of players came in the 2nd round
-But for pre-draft camps, Pippen would've fallen to the 2nd round
-Len Bias' rate of improvement was staggering and exceed even Stockton's
-86's best run of players came in the 2nd round
-But for pre-draft camps, Pippen would've fallen to the 2nd round
November 27, 2025 at 2:20 AM
From Dave Heeren's 1994-95 Basketball Abstract, a review of the 86 & 87 drafts:
-Len Bias' rate of improvement was staggering and exceed even Stockton's
-86's best run of players came in the 2nd round
-But for pre-draft camps, Pippen would've fallen to the 2nd round
-Len Bias' rate of improvement was staggering and exceed even Stockton's
-86's best run of players came in the 2nd round
-But for pre-draft camps, Pippen would've fallen to the 2nd round
Bonus Hollander POTD Jim Price. Louisville guard was drafted 16th by LAL in 72. Sat as a rook jumped to 15 ppg in 73-74. Was scoring 21 ppg in 74-75 but traded to MIL was an All-Star. A bench guy on various teams thru 79. Sharman: "I've never seen a rookie guard play better D."
November 26, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Bonus Hollander POTD Jim Price. Louisville guard was drafted 16th by LAL in 72. Sat as a rook jumped to 15 ppg in 73-74. Was scoring 21 ppg in 74-75 but traded to MIL was an All-Star. A bench guy on various teams thru 79. Sharman: "I've never seen a rookie guard play better D."
Hollander POTD Shawn Kemp. Indiana PF went from juco to SEA in 89. Took a few yrs to develop but was a frecocious dunker (see Lister, Gatling) + one of the best PFs of the 90s. In 92, didn't just dunk all over GS, he also dominated the series (22 ppg, 54 FG%, 16 rpg, 2.5 bpg).
November 26, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Hollander POTD Shawn Kemp. Indiana PF went from juco to SEA in 89. Took a few yrs to develop but was a frecocious dunker (see Lister, Gatling) + one of the best PFs of the 90s. In 92, didn't just dunk all over GS, he also dominated the series (22 ppg, 54 FG%, 16 rpg, 2.5 bpg).
Hollinger POTD Shawn Kemp. After 99, per this bio, Kemp declined due to a "unique training regimen that combined the worst vices of Henry VIII and William S Burroughs." Traded to POR in 00, he was miserable as bench player for 2 yrs. Took a buyout to play C for 1 final yr w/ORL in 02-03.
November 26, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Hollinger POTD Shawn Kemp. After 99, per this bio, Kemp declined due to a "unique training regimen that combined the worst vices of Henry VIII and William S Burroughs." Traded to POR in 00, he was miserable as bench player for 2 yrs. Took a buyout to play C for 1 final yr w/ORL in 02-03.
Bonus Hollander POTD Mario Elie. Junkyard Dog from NYC bounced around CBA & abroad before getting a shot w/GS in 91. Traded to HOU in 93, became a key piece to 2 titles, including the big shot to sink PHO in 95 playoffs. Also won title w/SA in 99. Very useful player now a coach.
November 25, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Bonus Hollander POTD Mario Elie. Junkyard Dog from NYC bounced around CBA & abroad before getting a shot w/GS in 91. Traded to HOU in 93, became a key piece to 2 titles, including the big shot to sink PHO in 95 playoffs. Also won title w/SA in 99. Very useful player now a coach.
Hollander POTD Anthony Peeler. Missouri SG was drafted 15th by LAL in 92. Played 4 yrs in LA & was solid bench scorer but let go to sign Shaq in 96. Set in to same role w/MIN from 98-03. Led NBA in 3% in 03-04. Also memorably elbowed KG in the noggin. Has coached since retiring.
November 25, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Hollander POTD Anthony Peeler. Missouri SG was drafted 15th by LAL in 92. Played 4 yrs in LA & was solid bench scorer but let go to sign Shaq in 96. Set in to same role w/MIN from 98-03. Led NBA in 3% in 03-04. Also memorably elbowed KG in the noggin. Has coached since retiring.
Hollinger POTD Jared Jeffries. Indiana F was drafted 11th in 02 by WAS. Tore his ACL early rookie yr & came back as a defensive specialist. Long & quick, he could guard SFs & PFs. Offense was afterthought (peaked at 6.8 ppg). Carved out a 10 yr career w/WAS & NY retiring in 2013.
November 25, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Hollinger POTD Jared Jeffries. Indiana F was drafted 11th in 02 by WAS. Tore his ACL early rookie yr & came back as a defensive specialist. Long & quick, he could guard SFs & PFs. Offense was afterthought (peaked at 6.8 ppg). Carved out a 10 yr career w/WAS & NY retiring in 2013.
Bonus Hollander POTD Dave Bing. Syracuse star drafted 2nd in 1966 by DET. Scored 20+ ppg his 1st 7 yrs, peaking at 27 ppg. Traded to WAS in 1975 for Kevin Porter + was okay in 1975-76 but aged quickly + retired in 1978. Since then has done a lot: was mayor of DET + a HOFer.
November 24, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Bonus Hollander POTD Dave Bing. Syracuse star drafted 2nd in 1966 by DET. Scored 20+ ppg his 1st 7 yrs, peaking at 27 ppg. Traded to WAS in 1975 for Kevin Porter + was okay in 1975-76 but aged quickly + retired in 1978. Since then has done a lot: was mayor of DET + a HOFer.
Hollander POTD Oscar Robertson. The Big O was 1st pick in 60 for CIN. Scored 30+ ppg 6x. Averaged triple-double in 61-62. Only peer was Jerry West. Traded to MIL in 70 & won a title w/KAJ. Per bio: "give him a 12-foot shot, he looks for a 10-footer, give him 10, he wants 8."
November 24, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Hollander POTD Oscar Robertson. The Big O was 1st pick in 60 for CIN. Scored 30+ ppg 6x. Averaged triple-double in 61-62. Only peer was Jerry West. Traded to MIL in 70 & won a title w/KAJ. Per bio: "give him a 12-foot shot, he looks for a 10-footer, give him 10, he wants 8."
Hollinger POTD Vin Baker. Son of a preacher was star at Hartford. Drafted 8th in 93 by MIL turned to star by 95-96. Flipped to SEA in 97 and was very good in 97-98 but declined quickly due to off court issues. Per bio, his transition D was really bad in the decline phase.
November 24, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Hollinger POTD Vin Baker. Son of a preacher was star at Hartford. Drafted 8th in 93 by MIL turned to star by 95-96. Flipped to SEA in 97 and was very good in 97-98 but declined quickly due to off court issues. Per bio, his transition D was really bad in the decline phase.
Bonus Hollander POTD Malik Rose. Philly kid went to Drexel, drafted 44th by CHA in 96. Undersized PF spent most of his career w/SA. Tasked w/keeping knee in Shaq's back all the time. Peaked at 10.4 ppg 6.4 rpg in 02-03. Also played w/NY & OKC thru 09. Very tough defender in post.
November 23, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Bonus Hollander POTD Malik Rose. Philly kid went to Drexel, drafted 44th by CHA in 96. Undersized PF spent most of his career w/SA. Tasked w/keeping knee in Shaq's back all the time. Peaked at 10.4 ppg 6.4 rpg in 02-03. Also played w/NY & OKC thru 09. Very tough defender in post.
Hollander POTD Andrew Toney. SE LA SG was drafted 8th in 80 by PHI. Made impact immediately, was a 2x All-Star & could get his shot off against anyone. Known as The Boston Strangler for all big shots he hit v BOS. Broke his foot in 85 + career ended in 88 at age 30.
November 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Hollander POTD Andrew Toney. SE LA SG was drafted 8th in 80 by PHI. Made impact immediately, was a 2x All-Star & could get his shot off against anyone. Known as The Boston Strangler for all big shots he hit v BOS. Broke his foot in 85 + career ended in 88 at age 30.
Sad Hollinger POTD Rodney Rogers. This bio describes how he was used by BOS as a stretch 5 to beat PHI in the 02 playoffs. Per the bio "he forced bigger players to chase him around the 3pt line & on picknroll...He took Mutombo right out of the series." RIP to one of my faves.
November 22, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Sad Hollinger POTD Rodney Rogers. This bio describes how he was used by BOS as a stretch 5 to beat PHI in the 02 playoffs. Per the bio "he forced bigger players to chase him around the 3pt line & on picknroll...He took Mutombo right out of the series." RIP to one of my faves.
Hollander POTD James Edwards. Buddha was drafted 46th in 77 by LAL but traded 2 month laters + bounced around. Played w/LAL, IND, CLE, PHO, DET, LAC, LAL (again), POR + CHI. Peaked at 17 ppg. Not a great boarder but had killer fadeaway. Won titles in DET & CHI.
November 22, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Hollander POTD James Edwards. Buddha was drafted 46th in 77 by LAL but traded 2 month laters + bounced around. Played w/LAL, IND, CLE, PHO, DET, LAC, LAL (again), POR + CHI. Peaked at 17 ppg. Not a great boarder but had killer fadeaway. Won titles in DET & CHI.
Hollander POTD Benoit Benjamin. Creighton C was 3rd pick by LAC in 85. Had skills (peaked at 16.4 ppg in 88-89) but effort was sporadic at best. Also started w/SEA & NJ thru 95. Per bio "he'll be around for years cuz he's tall but will make a career out of getting coaches fired."
November 22, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Hollander POTD Benoit Benjamin. Creighton C was 3rd pick by LAC in 85. Had skills (peaked at 16.4 ppg in 88-89) but effort was sporadic at best. Also started w/SEA & NJ thru 95. Per bio "he'll be around for years cuz he's tall but will make a career out of getting coaches fired."
Hollinger POTD Pape Sow. Senegalese F didn't play hoops til high school then went to Cal St Fullerton & was drafted 47th in 2004 by TOR (via MIA). Raw athlete played 76 gms from 2004-07. Best run was in 2005-06 & started 25 gms (3.5 ppg in 15 mpg). Played abroad from 07-14.
November 22, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Hollinger POTD Pape Sow. Senegalese F didn't play hoops til high school then went to Cal St Fullerton & was drafted 47th in 2004 by TOR (via MIA). Raw athlete played 76 gms from 2004-07. Best run was in 2005-06 & started 25 gms (3.5 ppg in 15 mpg). Played abroad from 07-14.
Bonus Hollander POTD, Olden Polynice. Virginia C was drafted 8th in 87 then traded to SEA for Pippen. OP began as solid backup for SEA before getting starting role in his 30s w/DET & SAC. Peaked at 12.5 ppg in 96-97. Was solid starter thru age 36. Was a character off the court.
November 21, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Bonus Hollander POTD, Olden Polynice. Virginia C was drafted 8th in 87 then traded to SEA for Pippen. OP began as solid backup for SEA before getting starting role in his 30s w/DET & SAC. Peaked at 12.5 ppg in 96-97. Was solid starter thru age 36. Was a character off the court.
Hollander POTD Cedric Maxwell. Cornbread was 12th pick by BOS in 77 from UNC-CHA. Peaked at 19 ppg & led NBA in FG% 2x. Scored less after Bird came but was key contributor & 81 Finals MVP. Traded to LAC in 85 but his knee wore out & retired by 88. Now does TV work.
November 21, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Hollander POTD Cedric Maxwell. Cornbread was 12th pick by BOS in 77 from UNC-CHA. Peaked at 19 ppg & led NBA in FG% 2x. Scored less after Bird came but was key contributor & 81 Finals MVP. Traded to LAC in 85 but his knee wore out & retired by 88. Now does TV work.
Hollinger POTD Mengke Bateer. Chinese C was undrafted & played in Beijing from 97-02. Signed by DEN in 01-02, started 10 gms (5 ppg). Played 19 gms w/SA& TOR from 02-04. Returned to China & played thru 14 & was a 4x MVP. Per bio, has a decent shot "but moves like Frankenstein."
November 21, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Hollinger POTD Mengke Bateer. Chinese C was undrafted & played in Beijing from 97-02. Signed by DEN in 01-02, started 10 gms (5 ppg). Played 19 gms w/SA& TOR from 02-04. Returned to China & played thru 14 & was a 4x MVP. Per bio, has a decent shot "but moves like Frankenstein."
SI fixes for LA & BOS after the 89-90 season:
LA: Keep Riley, trade Scott for Reggie or Richmond, start Vlade, get DJ as backup PG
BOS: trade McHale for picks, give Lewis more shots, free Shaw
vault.si.com/vault/1990/0...
LA: Keep Riley, trade Scott for Reggie or Richmond, start Vlade, get DJ as backup PG
BOS: trade McHale for picks, give Lewis more shots, free Shaw
vault.si.com/vault/1990/0...
November 21, 2025 at 2:07 AM
SI fixes for LA & BOS after the 89-90 season:
LA: Keep Riley, trade Scott for Reggie or Richmond, start Vlade, get DJ as backup PG
BOS: trade McHale for picks, give Lewis more shots, free Shaw
vault.si.com/vault/1990/0...
LA: Keep Riley, trade Scott for Reggie or Richmond, start Vlade, get DJ as backup PG
BOS: trade McHale for picks, give Lewis more shots, free Shaw
vault.si.com/vault/1990/0...
Bonus Hollander POTD Reggie Lewis. Dunbar HS grad was drafted 22nd by BOS from Northeastern in 87. After 1 yr on bench, turned into 2-way star. Scored 18 ppg from 88-93 & all-star in 92. Per Stu Jackson "the most underrated player in the league." Died too young in 93. RIP.
November 20, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Bonus Hollander POTD Reggie Lewis. Dunbar HS grad was drafted 22nd by BOS from Northeastern in 87. After 1 yr on bench, turned into 2-way star. Scored 18 ppg from 88-93 & all-star in 92. Per Stu Jackson "the most underrated player in the league." Died too young in 93. RIP.
Hollander POTD Earl Monroe. The Pearl was drafted 2nd by BAL in 67. Scored 24 ppg in 4+ yrs before famous trade to NY in 71. Deferred to Clyde early (14 ppg his 1st 3 yrs). Upped scoring to 20 ppg from 74-77. Per bio, shoots hard shots cuz "I can't seem to shoot when open."
November 20, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Hollander POTD Earl Monroe. The Pearl was drafted 2nd by BAL in 67. Scored 24 ppg in 4+ yrs before famous trade to NY in 71. Deferred to Clyde early (14 ppg his 1st 3 yrs). Upped scoring to 20 ppg from 74-77. Per bio, shoots hard shots cuz "I can't seem to shoot when open."