Houston Rockets

LOS ANGELES — James Harden scored 36 points and handed out nine assists, and the Houston Rockets won their sixth consecutive road game with a 118-95 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night at Staples Center. … night at Staples Center. Houston has won all six road games in the streak by at least 15 points, setting an NBA record. Eric Gordon scored 22 points off the bench and Chris Paul finished with 21 points … Continue reading “Kings of the road: Rockets trounce Lakers” →

Game Scouted: Richmond @ Wake Forest

Wake Forest wins 82-53

Doral Moore, C, 7’1″, JR

Stats

25 min, 6-7 FG, 3-6 FT, 8 reb, 4 blocks, 1 assist, 1 TO, 15 TP

Strengths

You can see a big improvement in all areas from the last two years to this year for Moore from his confidence level to his offense and everything in between.  Starting with his body and conditioning, Moore has added muscle and strength. This extra weight has allowed him to hold his post position, finish inside, and hold rebounding position. He has great length and athleticism and can really finish above the rim. He has solid hands and can catch alley-oop passes from multiple angles and distances. Solid rebounder who will get a couple of pro level/above the rim rebounds a game.

Offensively, Moore is showing much more confidence and it seems to be growing by the game. He has good touch around the rim and has a nice turn around jump shot which is becoming his go-to post move. He also has a nice sweeping right nook which is impossible to guard. Richmond actually sent a double a couple of times when he caught it with his back to the basket and he didnt turn it over and made the cross court pass to the open man. He keeps the ball high on offense rebounds and finishes inside. Moore gets the majority of his baskets in the PnR or with his back to the basket on post ups.

Defensively, Moore uses his length and size to disrupt in the paint and is a presence. Good shot blocker and has gotten better staying straight up and not fouling.

Weaknesses

Needs to continue to improve conditioning and his ability to run the floor- it has gotten better but could improve. Defensively he tends to be out of position too much. His lateral speed and ability to rotate across the lane is concerning especially when it comes to projecting him for the next level (Defending the screen and roll/ Defensive 3 seconds rule).

Overall

If he can make the same improvement level jump next summer as he did this summer then I see Moore being drafted. I would project him as an early to mid 2nd round pick at this stage depending on how much more he improves. Has the size, length, and athleticism that makes him attractive to the pro game. I see him being a backup 5 in the NBA where he can give some rim protection and finish efficiently.

By James Blackburn

St. John's Edge vs. Niagra River Lions 2017

St. John's Edge vs Niagra River Lions 2017

NBL Canada expansion franchise St. John’s Edge won their first-in-history home game (which, of course was also their first ever home opener, but why be redundant?) by defeating the visiting Niagra River Lions 105-103 in front of a sold out crowd at Home Court at Mile One Centre. The win improved St. John’s to 4-2 on the season and handed the River Lions their first loss on the season.

The hot start is not only great for any team, it is exceptionally good for an expansion franchise.Carl English (SG, 6’4″) led St. John’s with 22 pts in the win. English attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the United States.

For more information about St. John’s, visit sjedge.ca and for the NBL Canada, nblcanada.ca.

FIBA World Cup

FIBA World Cup

The FIBA World Cup is one of the top basketball tournaments in the world outside of the Olympic Games, and we here at Basketball Elite have covered it extensively in past years. The latest news however is something that will be unique to the FIBA event: the organization recently announced that in 2023, the tournament will be staged in multiple countries:

In 2023, the FIBA Basketball World Cup will, for the first time, be staged in more than one country after joint bids by Argentina/Uruguay and Indonesia/Japan/Philippines were confirmed as the finalists on Wednesday.

FIBA is, admittedly, more well known outside of the United States, but is the world governing body for basketball and the event is a global tournament that many NBA and Euroleague players participate in.