There can only be one.  Paul Millsap remains the Atlanta Hawks' best player, and Dennis Schroder falls well below him in the pecking order. You can make a convincing argument that Dwight Howard, Kent Bazemore and Kyle Korver are all superior players right now. We mean no disrespect to the incumbent stars here. The Brooklyn Nets have found plenty of placeholders on their upward climb, and some of them stand out as their most notable names. But who of these will still be on the roster when the team finally regains competitiveness? Everything has clicked for Kemba Walker.  By trading Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks and seemingly not fighting to retain Joakim Noah in free agency, the Chicago Bulls have made it clear this team belongs to Jimmy Butler. It's not like Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo are suddenly going to become centerpieces in new locations at this stage of their respective careers.  Sorry, Kyrie Irving. Sorry, Kevin Love. (Sorry, James Jones.)  It's less than ideal when a 38-year-old is the franchise centerpiece, but who else could the Dallas Mavericks choose? Picking just one centerpiece for the Denver Nuggets is nearly impossible. General manager Tim Connelly and the rest of the Mile High front office have done a fantastic job of assembling talent to the point that the roster is overflowing with upside. Simple math works in Andre Drummond's favor. One is less than four. Kevin Durant's arrival makes the Golden State Warriors overwhelming favorites to take back their title, but he doesn't immediately supplant Stephen Curry as the team's centerpiece.  Everything the Houston Rockets do on offense runs through James Harden.  Paul George knows just how important he is to the Indiana Pacers. It's apparent whenever he talks about his leadership abilities, as was the case near the end of June, when he discussed team president Larry Bird with IndyStar.com's Nate Taylor:  The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the few teams without an immediately obvious centerpiece. They could make convincing arguments for each member of their Big Three, though DeAndre Jordan stands out, ever so slightly and by default.  Filling the void left by Kobe Bryant won't be easy, and only a few players on the Los Angeles Lakers roster are equipped to do so.  The Memphis Grizzlies have plenty of important pieces.  Following the departure of Dwyane Wade to his hometown Chicago Bulls, the Heat are searching for a new face to build around. And given Chris Bosh's enduring health concerns and the lack of star power Goran Dragic has exhibited since leaving the Phoenix Suns, a defensive big is the obvious choice.  No matter how many intriguing players the Milwaukee Bucks have—here's looking at you, Khris Middleton, Thon Maker and Jabari Parker—the franchise is tethered to Giannis Antetokounmpo, especially now that he's proved he can be so successful in an unorthodox way.  No team has more top-tier options than the Minnesota Timberwolves. Most squads would be happy with any one of Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn, and some would willingly accept Ricky Rubio. Maybe even Gorgui Dieng, in some cases.  Can we just move on?  The New York Knicks' franchise centerpiece should be Kristaps Porzingis, but team president Phil Jackson and the rest of the front office are hedging their bets. There's no more obvious answer in all the NBA.  As Zach Lowe wrote for ESPN.com, the Orlando Magic are still struggling to find direction: Our sincere condolences to Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, Dario Saric, Joel Embiid and every other high-upside member of the Philadelphia 76ers.  As Owen Sanborn explained for SB Nation's Bright Side of the Sun, Devin Booker is close to overtaking Eric Bledsoe as the face of the Phoenix Suns franchise:  No matter how quickly C.J. McCollum develops, this team belongs to Damian Lillard. It's built everything around his ability to break down a defender and create his own shots. Despite many trade rumors over the years, breathless speculation that the Sacramento Kings had finally experienced enough drama and the many coaches he's gone through, DeMarcus Cousins remains the team's centerpiece.  Losing a surefire Hall of Famer such as Tim Duncan would be devastating for most teams, even if two other members of a longtime Big Three—Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker—remain. But the presence of Kawhi Leonard makes everything easier for the San Antonio Spurs.  The seesaw tilts in Kyle Lowry's favor, and no one else on the Toronto Raptors roster is close to boasting the same star power as its two All-Star guards.  Talk about boasting a wealth of options.  In a candid interview with CSN Mid-Atlantic's Chris Miller (via J. Michael of CSN Mid-Atlantic), John Wall explained that he and Bradley Beal don't always get along:

But not every team falls into that category. Sometimes, the centerpiece is the man to whom the hopes of the franchise are tethered, even if he isn't yet the roster's premier contributor. 

Even the luckiest teams that boast numerous building blocks have to push forward a single franchise centerpiece for this exercise. No matter how much talent fills up the depth chart, one man has to stand out as the indispensable piece around whom everything else is built. 

If the Hawks are doomed to stay mired in mediocrity, it's because Schroder doesn't experience any sort of breakout and remains a turnover-prone, inconsistent floor general. If they suddenly take the next step in the Eastern Conference, it's because he reaches a level Teague never ascended to. 

"I think he’s going to go out and do whatever he can to elevate his game and elevate us," Kris Humphries told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore about his 22-year-old teammate. "I think Coach Bud [Mike Budenholzer] and [general manager] Wes [Wilcox] and all of us teammates expect him to bring his game to another level now that he’s getting the opportunity that he’s wanted."

The Hawks continue to acquire two-way wings who can help space the court, and Millsap is the biggest threat to make the All-Star team. But for better or worse, they've tied their fate to Schroder. 

But the newly signed Al Horford immediately becomes Boston's best player, and he's vital to the Celtics' schemes.

As crucial as Thomas has been to the offense, head coach Brad Stevens builds his strategies around bigs who can stretch the floor and provide skilled contributions—things Horford could do in his sleep for the Atlanta Hawks. He's a massive upgrade over Jared Sullinger (now with the Toronto Raptors), Kelly Olynyk and the other frontcourt players who have eaten up the majority of Boston's minutes during previous seasons.

His defense also gives the team a new element, thanks to the all-around excellence predicated upon his instincts and his quick hands. Horford has long been one of the NBA's best centers, and he's now entering a situation primed to exploit all of his many talents. 

It's all about upside in the Barclays Center, which is why the team was willing to take high-ceiling, low-floor gambles on players such as Caris LeVert during the 2016 NBA draft. Thus, the centerpiece (for now, since the Nets should hope this changes for the better in the near future) has to be Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. 

Already a deft defender as he prepares for his sophomore season, Hollis-Jefferson is a consistent jumper away from a substantial breakout. He's the one player on the roster with 1) serious untapped potential and 2) potential that Brooklyn's likely to tap into. 

His perimeter stroke worked at above-average levels (37.1 percent on threes) in 2015-16, which spaced out the court for his athletic bursts to the basket. He finished from within three feet at the best rate of his career (59.8 percent), and that inside-outside combo allowed him to mitigate the ill effects of his lackluster mid-range shooting and remain more efficient than ever. 

He's also no longer a defensive liability whose lack of size (6'1", 184 lbs) holds him back against almost every opponent. For the third consecutive season, Walker has posted a defensive box plus/minus indicative of league-average (or better) play. This year, it came despite his shouldering even more offensive responsibility. 

The best news of all is that despite the substantial improvement, Walker is only 26 years old. He's still moving toward his prime, not away from it. 

It won't be a tug and pull of whose team it is. We're all playing together. We all have one common goal, and that's to win.

And now, it's Rondo's turn. Again, per Neuharth-Keusch: "It's Jimmy's team. Jimmy, Wade and then whatever after that."

Who are we to argue? We only do that when the players are wrong. 

If he snaps his fingers and gives an order, it seems like the franchise is bound and determined to grant his wishes, whether he wants to sign a player or get rid of a head coach. Plus, James is still the best player on the roster.

He proved that during the 2016 NBA Finals by digging deep and dragging the Cavs out of a 3-1 series deficit against the 73-win Golden State Warriors. The dude averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.3 blocks while shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from downtown on the sport's biggest stage. 

When motivated, James can impact a basketball game like no one else. That doesn't mean he deserved to win MVP over Stephen Curry during the regular season (he didn't, and he didn't), but the Finals left little doubt he was the superior player when the prospect of losing his city's best title chance was driving him. 

That leaves Justin Anderson and Harrison Barnes, neither of whom has shown he can perform at an All-Star level.

Nowitzki, meanwhile, remains skilled enough to work his way back into that conversation and just signed a two-year deal to stay in Dallas. The Mavs still believe in his ability to produce, and they keep seeking out players such as Bogut who complement his skill set—as clear a sign as any that he remains the centerpiece. 

Is this an indictment of the roster-building strategies by the Dallas front office? Sure, but it's also a testament to the German 7-footer's enduring excellence.

The Italian small forward was the go-to scorer in 2015-16—a role he should continue to fill. But he's already 28 years old and plays such a versatile game that the Nuggets don't need to make any specific roster moves in order to maximize his talent. Plus, he's best suited as a secondary scorer who isn't drawing the brunt of the defense's attention on a nightly basis. 

That leaves Mudiay and Jokic, and that competition is basically a coin flip. 

The former was the more heralded prospect entering their mutual rookie season, but he disappointed for much of the year and fell behind the latter in the Rookie of the Year voting. Jokic trailed only Kristaps Porzingis and Karl-Anthony Towns, and it was largely media attention that prevented him from becoming the runner-up to Towns. He was that good, as he recently proved against Team USA during the 2016 Rio Olympics' group stage. 

"I mean, he is going to be phenomenal," Faried told Bleacher Report about Jokic during his rookie campaign. "I can't wait until we're talking about him in the All-Star Game."

Ideally, the man in the middle is capable of rebounding in traffic, scoring out of the post and demanding enough attention that the shooters also get space for their spot-up attempts. 

Thus, it's far more difficult to fill the one interior role than it is to find any single member of the quartet of capable marksmen, and the Pistons already have Drummond thriving on the inside. 

Think about the dichotomy this way: Even if each member of the superstar duo is one of the NBA's five best players, which man will have to alter his playing style to mesh with the other? Is it Durant who will cede control of the rock and play more off the ball, or is it Curry who will have to settle in as a spot-up shooter? 

At this point, it would be nonsensical for Kerr to ask his point guard to change how he operates. Curry's dribbling and creativity made the Dubs hum in 2015-16, and the team's net rating was 13.8 points per 100 possessions better when he was on the floor. 

Durant will have to make the sacrifices, and that's not what an unquestioned centerpiece is supposed to do. 

Because the bearded 2-guard is so adept at handling the rock and serving as a leading scorer or primary playmaker, the rest of the Rockets roster can look different. It can afford to have Patrick Beverley as a non-traditional point guard who specializes in defense and spot-up shooting. It can thrive with three-and-D players who aren't comfortable off the bounce so long as they join Harden on the wings. 

Houston would surely prefer that Harden showed more commitment on defense, but it can afford to live with his flaws because his offense is just that good.

How good? According to NBA Math's total points added, he finished with the league's No. 4 overall score despite finishing in the red for his defense. 

George believes he's Indy's centerpiece, and he's 100 percent correct—"he's putting talent around me" is about as clear an indication as you'll ever get. 

His defensive acumen and ball-handling ability make the Pacers operate at a higher level, and the team is building its fast-paced ideologies around him. Jeff Teague, Monta Ellis, Myles Turner and others are important to the cause, but George is the only truly vital player.

As talented as Blake Griffin is, two concerns loom large: The power forward's injury history is troubling after he was limited to just 35 games played one year after logging 67 appearances. Plus, he's spent the last few months embroiled in trade rumors. Though none has shown any validity, there's some relevant saying about smoke and fire. 

That leaves Jordan. 

The big man is the least talented member of the Big Three, but he's still a dominant center who deserves Defensive Player of the Year consideration while winning rebounding titles (2013-14 and 2014-15, second to Drummond in 2015-16). He's also under contract longer than the other two—he can't become a free agent unless he exercises his player option for the 2018-19 season.  

Brandon Ingram is the final option, and he's also the youngster with the highest ceiling. As talented as Russell may be, the 18-year-old Duke product stands a cut above, even as he tries to put on more weight and prove he's strong enough to survive at the NBA level (listed at 6'9", 190 lbs). 

Russell could become one of the league's best guards; Ingram could become one of the league's best players. That's the difference, and it's the reason the Lakers should be looking to build around their newest rookie stud. 

Chandler Parsons isn't quite there yet, though the offseason addition has the talent necessary to become a centerpiece. His knee trouble is problematic in this conversation, as is the fact that he's adjusting to his new teammates and has the game of a supporting piece. 

By attrition, the only choice is Conley. Yet, who else could it be but the man with the largest contract in NBA history? 

Conley's not one of the truly elite NBA point guards, but his mentality and the quality of his play still make him vital to the Memphis cause. His quick hands and gambling nature can't easily be replicated on defense, and the same is true of his careful distributing on offense.

"Just continue the overall development with his body, working on his conditioning, getting stronger while maintaining his weight and flexibility," head coach Erik Spoelstra said in a video about Whiteside's offseason, as transcribed by Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. "And he will have to be able to absorb more minutes, more responsibility, more games, which is a different level of training in the weight room."

Miami's ability to compete in the Eastern Conference rests on his broad shoulders. Thus, he must accept his role as a max player and definitive leader by continuing to improve while blossoming into a Defensive Player of the Year candidate who can contribute in every area.  

But this experiment running the show as a point guard was so successful that it appears to be a permanent fixture in Milwaukee's game plan. And that makes it even more obvious the Bucks are building around Antetokounpo's unique talents, since they can afford to roster a spot-up threat such as Matthew Dellavedova and focus their resources on players who handle the ball less frequently.

This franchise will go as the Greek Freak goes, which is a positive as he tracks superstardom. 

In an attempt to make this clearer, let's turn to NBA Math's total points added and look at which players were most valuable to the team in 2015-16: 

1. Karl-Antony Towns, 145.83
2. Gorgui Dieng, 105.67
3. Ricky Rubio, 87.54

Wiggins is nowhere to be found, since he's been miscast as a leading scorer during this early stage of his career. There's little doubt he'll get there. But he's been unable to remain efficient in the face of so much defensive attention, and his own stopping ability isn't yet consistent. He's shown flashes of future stardom, but he's inferior to Towns, who may have even more potential. 

Ditto for LaVine, whose defensive woes hold back his developing offense. Dunn isn't on the list since he was playing for Providence last year, but the dual presence of him and Rubio makes it tough for either one to stand out. 

Towns showed enough during his first NBA season to emerge as a serious All-Star threat and future MVP candidate. The unanimous Rookie of the Year is not just the Minnesota centerpiece; he's one of the best building blocks in the entire NBA. 

Unless the Golden State Warriors were willing to offer up Stephen Curry or Kevin Durant, there may not be a single player in the league NOLA would trade him for. Frankly, his meager 23 years of age might make it tough for them to even pull the trigger on any hypothetical Curry/Davis deal. 

New Orleans surely hopes Buddy Hield becomes a worthy challenger for the centerpiece title. It needs Jrue Holiday to get back to pre-injury All-Star levels in expeditious fashion, and it wouldn't mind a few unexpected breakouts from unheralded players such as E'Twaun Moore and Solomon Hill. 

But this is Davis' team; there's no doubt about that. 

Given the new additions of Noah and Derrick Rose, the ball won't spend much time in his hands either; there are just too many mouths to feed. 

If anything, the offseason maneuvering feels like they're catering to Carmelo Anthony—who has served as the team's centerpiece ever since he forced his way out of Denver—with moves allowing him to spend less time as a facilitator. The team gained a legitimate point guard and a center whose best skill may well be his passing, they're maintaining the interior defense behind him and they're absolving Anthony of inordinate responsibility now that he's no longer the only recognizable face with an established NBA track record. 

It's time to pass the torch in the Big Apple, but New York hasn't done so quite yet. 

Last season, it was nearly impossible to tell which player was more effective or more valuable. But Durant is now playing in the Bay Area, and Victor Oladipo won't threaten Westbrook for control of the team. 

OKC belongs to the dynamic point guard. 

To rival executives, the Magic still look aimless after a frenzy of transactions sloughed away 10 of the 16 guys who logged at least 200 minutes last season. 

That lack of direction makes it difficult to find an actual centerpiece. 

Maybe it was Victor Oladipo, but Orlando traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Serge Ibaka, who joins a mismatched and crowded frontcourt. No player in that jumbled-up group can stand out—including Aaron Gordon, who the Magic are pushing to small forward in a move that might risk stunting his development. 

Elfrid Payton hasn't shown enough during his young career, and that leaves Evan Fournier as the best option. He's emerged as a versatile offensive contributor who can handle plenty of scoring responsibility, but he lacks the star power you expect from a centerpiece. 

He's the choice for now, but the Magic have to hope it's only temporary. 

Philadelphia is still trying to figure out its ultimate direction, as its roster situation is untenable. It can't continue to boast the combined services of Noel, Okafor and Embiid in a league that's trending toward small ball, and that triumvirate only grows more complicated when the other potential centerpieces—Simmons and Saric—both stand 6'10". 

No matter how talented each member of that trio may be, the presence of all three mitigates each player's individual value.

Simmons was already the choice, but that situation only cements him as the downtrodden franchise's true building block.

Bledsoe may be on the verge of losing his centerpiece status, but let's not forget he's coming off a season in which he averaged, while healthy, 20.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 31 games. Only six other players posted those numbers in 2015-16. Of course, he has to stay healthy in order to cement his place in the organization. 

Booker hasn't supplanted him yet, no matter how popular he's grown. That's a result of potential rather than production, since the young 2-guard was inefficient as a rookie and struggled on the defensive end. Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender are also threats, though they have to win the competition against each other first. 

Lillard isn't just the best player on the Portland Trail Blazers; he's the clear-cut leader, both on and off the court. He's the heart and soul of the organization, imbuing the roster with passion as he refuses to give up on any play—unless, of course, he's fighting through screens on defense. 

And with his five-year max extension kicking in at the start of 2016-17, he's going to fill this role for a long time. 

Ben McLemore has been a massive bust since he left Kansas. Willie Cauley-Stein is on a promising trajectory after his rookie season, but he's a limited player without a ceiling nearly as high as the level Cousins has already hit. Rudy Gay clearly isn't the choice. 

It's Boogie or bust in Sacramento.

Again. 

He's the tone-setter on the defensive end, which should be expected from the man who's won Defensive Player of the Year during each of the last two seasons. Even more importantly, he has license to break out of the vaunted Spurs system that preaches ball movement and teamwork above all else.

Head coach Gregg Popovich allowed Leonard to commandeer possessions with shocking frequency in 2015-16, and that's not likely to change after he posted such excellent shooting splits (50.6 FG%, 44.3 3P% and 87.4 FT%). He's able to work in isolation and keep the ball in his hands for more than a few ticks after proving himself.

The other notable names in San Antonio allow the Spurs to keep pace—well, at least somewhat—with the Golden State Warriors at the top of the Western Conference. But it's Leonard who gives this team its identity on both ends of the floor.

Player	Offensive Points Added	Defensive Points Saved	Total Points Added
DeMar DeRozan	146.53	Minus-65.12	81.41
Kyle Lowry	342.12	33.11	375.23

It's not even close, and additional data supports the Lowry-leaning conclusion. 

The Raptors were worse on both ends of the floor with DeRozan, and their net rating dipped by 6.1 points per 100 possessions when he played. With Lowry, the net rating jumped by 7.3 points over the same span. According to NBAWowy.com, the Raptors outscored the opposition by 12.7 points per 100 possessions when Lowry was on the court without DeRozan. In the reverse situation, the net rating stood at minus-5.7. 

But Gordon Hayward is still the man in charge, if only because he's the established star who can contribute in myriad facets. Whether serving as a spot-up shooter, the primary playmaker or a wing defender, he can positively impact the proceedings.

We can't say the same about anyone else on the roster. 

Of course, this could change at any time. Utah is overflowing with young talent, and a sustained breakout could allow another player to wrest the title away from Hayward. We're looking at Hood above everyone else here.  

If this is an actual problem that's negatively affecting the team's chemistry, one has to be traded. 

Are the Washington Wizards going to move the established All-Star who's asserting himself as one of the league's best point guards or the oft-injured shooting guard who hasn't yet developed much since he left Florida? Even though they just inked Beal to an exorbitant extension, that conversation wouldn't take long. 

And that's the best case of all for Wall's enduring status as the franchise centerpiece. 

    

Adam Fromal covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @fromal09. 

Unless otherwise indicated, all stats are from Basketball-Reference.com or NBA Math.

Howard Beck's Biggest Fears for the 2016-17 NBA Season

It's amazing to think Kobe Bryant's first All-Star Game was in 1998.

Bleacher Report sat down with players from the game and media members who were in Madison Square Garden for that iconic night.

Joel Embiid's long-awaited rookie season may finally—yes, for real this time—be upon us.

Speaking to 97.5 The Fanatic on Monday, Brown said the 2014 draft's No. 3 overall pick is slated to make his debut when the Sixers suit up in a few months.

"Embiid is well and truly on track; there are no red flags anywhere," Brown said, per the station's Twitter account. "None of us should be afraid right now. We're very proud of him."

Brown had expressed that sentiment on The Lowe Post with Zach Lowe (via CSNPhilly.com's Noah Levick).

"I just left my third consecutive day working out with Joel," Brown said. "He just is so on track—he's on track in his head, he's on track physically. I will tell you that, behind closed doors—physically, mentally, recent scans medically—everything is pointing in the right direction."

Brown also told Lowe that Embiid is on track to play in the preseason. For the record, the Sixers are slated to open their exhibition slate Oct. 4 against the Boston Celtics.

As if Brown's comments weren't encouraging enough, Embiid tweeted a workout video in early August that gave fans a glimpse of his offensive potential:

— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) August 3, 2016

Beyond Embiid's development, Brown also gushed about 2014 No. 12 overall draftee Dario Saric—who recently starred for Croatia in the Olympics.

Not only did Saric punctuate a win over Spain with a clutch block of Pau Gasol at the buzzer, but he flashed balanced play on both ends of the floor throughout the tournament.

Saric averaged 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while serving as one of his side's primary on-ball playmakers.

"I'm really, really, really excited to watch Dario play alongside the team we have in place," Brown said, per 97.5's Twitter account.

Considering Brown was forced to work with a rotating cast of characters that included scores of NBA Development League-caliber talent throughout his first three seasons at the helm, the arrivals of Embiid, Saric and No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons figure to make his life a lot easier.

"It's a reset button," Brown said, according to 97.5 on Twitter. "This year's roster is completely different than the last three years', and I too share the excitement the city feels."

And while Brown will need to manage minutes with a crowded frontcourt that includes Embiid, Saric, Simmons, Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor, he finally has a bevy of talent to deploy as he seeks to turn the Sixers into one of the Eastern Conference's upstart clubs.

New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony won an NCAA national championship with Syracuse in 2003 and a trio of Olympic gold medals with Team USA. But according to his college coach Jim Boeheim, that's all of the hardware he's going to win. 

The 13-year veteran and nine-time All-Star made the postseason in each of his first 10 seasons in the league, seven of them coming with the Denver Nuggets, the team that drafted him. 

"Denver hadn't done anything prior to him getting there and he took them into the playoffs," Boeheim said. "They weren't going to beat the Lakers or the Spurs. In those years, they won the championship most of the time."

In the prior eight seasons before Anthony's NBA arrival in Denver, the Nuggets hadn't made the playoffs. In fact, they hadn't recorded a single winning season. 

After winning just 17 games in 2002-03, Anthony and the Nuggets finished 43-39 and made the playoffs as he sparked a turnaround in Colorado. Of the seven times Anthony made the playoffs with Denver, though, he only made it out of the first round once. 

Upon joining the Knicks, Anthony was able to keep his postseason streak alive for another three years, but he once again wasn't able to lead his team deeper than the second round. 

But with the Knicks organization falling on hard times as of late, Anthony hasn't played postseason basketball in three years. Over that span, New York has been among the worst teams in the Eastern Conference. 

After drafting Kristaps Porzingis in 2015 and acquiring Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings this offseason, things are finally starting to look up for the player that decided to stay with the struggling franchise when he hit free agency in 2014. 

Even still, that likely won't be enough for an NBA ring, which Boeheim realized, per ESPN.com's Ian Begley:

At 32 years old, Anthony is still the centerpiece of the Knicks' roster despite having exited the prime of his NBA career. 

Through his first 13 seasons, he has never averaged fewer than 20 points per game, and his performance at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics for Team USA demonstrated that he will continue to be an All-Star-caliber player. Unless the Knicks shock the world or make further upgrades to their roster, though, Anthony may have to settle for the trophies and medals he won outside of the NBA. 

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.

Washington Wizards point guard John Wall believes he should be paid as much as the top players in the NBA. This includes James Harden, who brought home a large contract extension this summer.

Apparently, Wall wasn't happy for his fellow NBA star. 

According to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, "A front-office executive tells The Ringer that Wall was 'rankled' after Harden signed a four-year, $118 million extension with the Rockets."

Wall signed a five-year extension worth $80 million in 2013.

As good as he has been over the past few years—being named to three All-Star Games and averaging 19.9 points and 10.2 assists per game last season—the timing of his extension was perfect for Washington.

In the summer of 2013, the point guard had shown potential but was coming off an injury-shortened year, playing only 49 games. He was still yet to make an All-Star team and had failed to lead the Wizards to the playoffs in his first three years in the league.

Perhaps more importantly, the salary cap was much lower than this past summer, when the contracts around the league became inflated.

On the other hand, Harden averaged 29.0 points, 7.5 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game while making his fourth consecutive All-Star Game last year. He finished second in MVP voting two years ago and has proved himself as one of the best offensive players in the league, all of which coincided with the expanded salary cap.

If Wall is going to be angry at any contract, it should be over that of fellow Wizards guard Bradley Beal, who will make $128 million over the next five years. After Beal signed his deal, Wall didn't seem all that supportive of his teammate, per J. Michael of CSN Atlantic:

Interestingly, Neil Greenberg of the Washington Post notes the two extensions were similar at their respective times:

— Neil Greenberg (@ngreenberg) July 1, 2016

Still, it might be a long few years before Wall can become a free agent in 2019. 

       

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter.

Between the Golden State Warriors signing Kevin Durant and the New York Knicks acquiring Derrick Rose, there is a lot of anticipation for this upcoming NBA season. Although the regular season doesn't begin until Oct. 25, many NBA fans are getting excited for their favorite teams as they battle to make it to the playoffs.

Find out what Bleacher Report's NBA Writer Ric Bucher is excited to see in the 2016-17 NBA season as he talks to Adam Lefkoe in the video above.

USA remains overwheming betting favorite to win men’s basketball gold medal

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James admitted Wednesday he's missed playing with Team USA at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but he didn't fully commit to a return in 2020. 

"Every time I watch 'em, I wish I was out there," James said. "I did not retire from Team USA. I just did not play this summer. So I left the door open."

James announced shortly after the Cavs finished their NBA Finals comeback triumph over the Golden State Warriors that he wouldn't make the trip to Brazil with the American delegation.

"I could use the rest," he told Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.

Ultimately, the 31-year-old veteran and the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, who have combined to win six of the past eight MVP awards, both opted against playing for Team USA. Curry cited lingering ankle and knee injuries as key reasons for his decision.

The general consensus still pointed toward the United States rolling to a gold medal. The journey has proved far more difficult than it looked on paper, however, with the Americans winning their last two games against Serbia and France by just three points apiece.

While Team USA may still end up winning gold, the close calls show the gap isn't large enough for the best two players in the world to stay at home. It's been a grind, and that will likely remain the case throughout the knockout stages.

All told, a lot can change in the span of four years, which is likely why James didn't guarantee he'll be in Tokyo. He already has a lot of mileage on his body because of his teams' annual playoff runs, and that probably won't change with Cleveland being the class of the Eastern Conference.

That said, he'll be 35 when the next Summer Games roll around, which could make it his last chance to compete on the Olympic stage. Add in the arrival of new USA head coach Gregg Popovich, whom James has always shown respect for during his battles with the San Antonio Spurs, and a return seems likely.

       

Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan stated ahead of Team USA's quarterfinal clash with Argentina at the 2016 Summer Olympics that capturing a gold medal is a bigger achievement than winning an NBA championship. 

Jordan has spent his entire career with the Clippers since getting selected in the second round of the 2008 draft, and he has never advanced beyond the NBA's conference semifinals in the competitive West.

In contrast, he's now just three victories away from a gold medal. His view about the importance of that was previously expressed by Team USA teammate Carmelo Anthony, who also talked to Stein about the limited number of chances to chase Olympic gold.

"Of course, because we play in the NBA that's always the goal: to win an NBA championship," the New York Knicks star said. "But every year [there's] a new champion, so you have an opportunity to compete for a championship every year. This is every four years."

It's an interesting debate. The opportunity to represent the United States in the Summer Games is far rarer than playing in the NBA and competing for a title, but when talking about who's the greatest of all time, the discussion begins with Michael Jordan's six NBA titles, not his two gold medals.

That's probably because the journey to win an NBA championship is typically more difficult than the United States' gold-medal quest. The star-studded American roster usually cruises through most of the tournament before taking the top spot on the podium.

Jordan and Co. are meeting much more resistance this year, though. With LeBron James and Stephen Curry opting for rest rather than a busy summer in Rio, Team USA has been forced to survive some close calls, including back-to-back three-point wins over Serbia and France.

So maybe in that regard, with the Americans truly needing to fight for this year's gold, Jordan's feelings on the subject may carry some weight. But it's unlikely the general consensus will shift from NBA titles to Olympic gold medals in the hierarchy to determine basketball greatness.

        

Carmelo Anthony is really embracing Rio de Janeiro.

"I discovered that what most people call creepy, scary, and spooky, I call comfy, cozy, and home," Melo captioned an Instagram picture.

This was a bit of a bold move from the four-time Olympian. As Daniel Popper of the New York Daily News pointed out, the favelas "are the notoriously violent and impoverished slums tucked into the hills of Rio.”

While connecting with his fans, Anthony didn't seem fazed in the least.

[Facebook, Instagram, h/t New York Daily News]

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James revealed Wednesday his goal after his playing career is to own an NBA team, as he told UNINTERRUPTED's Open Run podcast (warning: contains NSFW language):

— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) August 17, 2016

James broke down his reasoning for wanting to hold such a position and why he would be good at the job:

James wouldn't be the first NBA superstar to take on a major role with a professional franchise. 

Michael Jordan is currently the principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets. Larry Bird is the president of the Indiana Pacers. Isiah Thomas is the team president of the New York Liberty. And Magic Johnson is part of the Los Angeles Dodgers' and Los Angeles Sparks' ownership group.

Of course, James' post-basketball career should still be a few years down the line. After leading the Cavaliers to the organization's first title this past season, he agreed to a three-year, $100 million contract last Friday with a player option for the third year.

He showed little sign of slowing down, even at 31, averaging 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.4 steals during the regular season and 26.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game during the postseason.

He's now played in six straight NBA Finals and seven overall, winning three titles. His physical talent has always been immense, but James has also been defined by his ability to both make his teammates better and put them on his back when necessary. Few players have a higher basketball IQ, so it isn't difficult to see him in a front-office capacity in the future.

Surely, NBA teams will be lining up to work with James once he calls it quits. Like Jordan before him, it would hardly be surprising to see him one day own an NBA team.

     

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.

With 15 players declining invites to the 12-man United States basketball team, fans want to know what is going on and if any of it will affect this upcoming NBA season.

What do you think? Drop a comment below to let us know. 

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is hopeful about the future of the organization as he transitions from the role of key player to perhaps the team's most famous fan.

"Now it's just a matter of them growing together," Bryant said. "Having those pieces mesh, which I think is a great opportunity because now at this age, where their games are still developing, they can develop their games and their strengths around each other."

The Lakers already had some promising assets in the likes of D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson coming into the offseason. But the opportunity to add Brandon Ingram, the second overall pick out of Duke, should really accelerate the building process.

Bryant told TWC SportsNet he likes what he's seen from potentially the new franchise cornerstone.

"I think he plays with great tempo, great pace," he said. "I like his length. His ball-handling ability is very good, and he gets to his spots on the floor. I think defensively he has the potential to be fantastic, as well. … So hopefully he starts really paying attention to that just as much as the things he does offensively."

Here's the complete conversation between Bryant and Bresnahan, which also included discussions about Team USA's recent close calls at the Olympics and new Lakers head coach Luke Walton:

Bryant's comments about making himself available to the organization and its young players are surely music to the ears of the front office. There aren't many players who are more connected to a single franchise, especially one with the storied history of the Lakers, so he can be a valuable mentor.

Aside from the basketball talk, the newly bearded 37-year-old future Hall of Famer is seemingly enjoying the retired life. There are always questions about whether players with an intense competitive fire such as Bryant can truly walk away and stay away for good, but he sounds content, at least for now.

       

Ray Allen is reportedly considering a return to the NBA next season. At the age of 41, Ray is still a coveted free agent thanks to his veteran leadership and shooting ability.

Former NBA player Greg Anthony sits down with Adam Lefkoe to talk about the potential return of "Jesus Shuttlesworth" in the video above.  

James Harden already has an iconic look thanks to his beard, but he now has a personal logo, too.

Yet it's nowhere near as dizzying as the video he posted:

— James Harden (@JHarden13) August 9, 2016

Like everything else, it wasn't initially well-received on Twitter:

— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) August 9, 2016

— Pratik Patel (@PatelESPN) August 9, 2016

— Zack Stovall (@ZStovall) August 9, 2016

Personal logos are a growing trend among athletes, but Harden doesn’t need a brand image when one’s growing from his face.

[Twitter]

The 2016 men's and women's Olympic basketball tournament continued Tuesday, with several of the top stars in the sport in action.

        

Scores

                 

Recap

Turkey Beats Japan, 76-62

LaToya Sanders was unstoppable on Tuesday, scoring 36 points in Turkey's convincing 76-62 win over Japan.

The Japanese simply had no answer for Sanders, who also notched seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

Turkey jumped out to a 24-9 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, as Isil Alben added 14 points and Nevriye Yilmaz 15 points in the rout. Four different players scored double-digit points for the Japanese, which will next take on Australia on Thursday. Turkey faces Belarus that same day.

Belarus Beats Brazil, 65-63

Led by Tatyana Troina's 18 points, Belarus knocked off Brazil on Tuesday, 65-63.

Yelena Leuchanka chipped in 15 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Lindsey Harding posted 12 points and six assists. 

Damiris Dantas played valiantly in the loss, posting 23 points, 10 rebounds and four steals, while Clarissa dos Santos (17 points, 11 rebounds, four steals) was excellent as well. It wasn't enough to steal the win from Belarus, however.

Brazil looked as though they were in control early in the game, leading 28-16 after a quarter, but Belarus slowly chipped away at the lead. By halftime, the deficit was just five, and the game was even heading into the fourth quarter. Leuchanka's three-pointer with 53 seconds remaining would prove to be the game-winner, as Brazil couldn't score on two separate possessions down the stretch. 

Belarus will next take on Turkey on Thursday, with Brazil facing France that same day.

Brazil Beats Spain, 66-65

Marquinhos had Brazil dancing on Tuesday.

The Brazilian's tip-in with just seconds on the clock was the deciding bucket in Brazil's 66-65 upset of Spain, the second loss in this tournament for the No. 2 ranked Spaniards.

Pau Gasol had a chance to give Spain a three-point lead from the foul line with 24 seconds remaining but missed both of his shots. That gave Brazil the chance to take the lead, and Marquinhos played the role of the hero, sneaking around the backside of the basket to tip home Marcelo Huertas' missed floater.

Spain still had six seconds to earn the win, but Sergio Llull missed a difficult runner down the right side, and Spain couldn't gather the rebound and get another shot off before the game ended. It wasn't the look the team probably wanted, per basketball writer Sam Vecenie:

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) August 9, 2016

Huertas (11 points, seven assists, four rebounds), Marquinhos (10 points, five rebounds) and Augusto Lima (nine points, 10 rebounds) led the way for Brazil, who stifled Spain with solid defense and a patient half-court approach. In total, 10 players scored for Brazil. 

Gasol, meanwhile, led the Spaniards with a solid showing, scoring 13 points and adding 10 rebounds and four blocks. Llul (11 points) and Sergio Rodriguez (10 points, five assists) played well in support, though NBA stars such as Ricky Rubio (three points, no assists or steals) and Nikola Mirotic (six points, eight rebounds) had disappointing showings.

The Spaniards now have a heck of a battle on their hands to reach the knockout phase, with tough games against Argentina and Lithuania remaining, along with what should be a gimme against Nigeria. If Spain loses just one more game, it'll be in real danger of being eliminated from this tournament before the quarterfinals, which would be a shock, to say the least.

There is perhaps some reason to be optimistic for Spain, however, per Zach Harper of CBS Sports:

— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) August 9, 2016

Brazil's chances of reaching the knockout phase grew considerably better with this victory, meanwhile. Croatia and Argentina still remain, but the Brazilians have proved they can hang with some of the top teams in the world. 

Group B is wide-open. Spain isn't dead, but it is on life support. Brazil isn't safe, but it will be feeling confident after Tuesday's huge victory.

        

Australia Beats France, 89-71

Australia pulled away from France in the second quarter and withstood every French rally in the second half, winning in convincing fashion, 89-71.

Penny Taylor was superb for the Aussies, scoring 31 points and adding five rebounds, nine assists, three steals and a block.

George Washington head coach and former teammate Jennifer Rizzotti was impressed by Taylor's performance:

— Jennifer Rizzotti (@JenRizzotti) August 9, 2016

Liz Cambage (16 points, seven rebounds) and Marianna Tolo (14 points, four rebounds) had solid performances as well for Australia. Olivia Epoupa (15 points, seven rebounds, seven steals) led the way for France.

Australia led after a tight first quarter, 21-19, but it blew things wide-open in the second frame, going on a 25-10 run to open up a 17-point lead. France played the Australians tough again in the second half, but it couldn't chip away at Australia's significant lead.

The Australians simply had an answer every time it looked like France might mount a rally. Much of that came down to the clutch shooting of Taylor, who finished 10-of-13 from the field, 3-of-5 from beyond the arc and a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe. Simply put, Taylor was nearly perfect, and France didn't have an answer for her.

The win virtually assures Australia's place in the quarterfinals after three straight wins in Group A, while France is still in a strong position to advance with a 2-1 record, though the team will need to mentally recover quickly from Tuesday's blowout loss.

Australia next faces Japan on Thursday, while France takes on Brazil that same day.

       

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.

With NBA free agency slowing to a halt (we see you, Lance Stephenson), we have the opportunity to riff on the issues nearest to our hearts. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans Jimmy Butler has the grounds for some serious beef with the Chicago Bulls. DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings are not on the same page. They may not even be reading the same book. In other words, nothing has changed. Anyone who has spent more than a second on the Philadelphia 76ers roster has something to be ticked about. But Nerlens Noel's case is special. No one should be more unhappy about the Orlando Magic's offseason than Nikola Vucevic. For years, the Washington Wizards were biding time and cap space, waiting for their crack at Kevin Durant in free agency. So much for that.

Real offseason setbacks and failures are the impetus for our imagined player-to-suit beefs. We're not saying these household names are on the verge of demanding a trade to more functional pastures, or that they're even frustrated at all. Their respective teams have just failed them, typically in more ways than one.

If they are, in fact, mad behind the scenes, let them be. They deserve to be angry, voice their displeasure and perhaps cut up some throwback uniforms if presented with the opportunity.

We can't fault the New Orleans Pelicans for taking fliers on Solomon Hill, Terrence Jones and E'Twaun Moore. After unsuccessfully attempting to expedite their development with Davis, they're finally doing it right—the last four years of Omer Asik's cap-clogging deal notwithstanding.  

James Harden, Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets will shell out $133 million in combined money to Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon over the next four years. That's, um, something—just nothing special. Neither new arrival does anything to protect James Harden against more viral defensive bloopers. Regarding the team's potential, ESPN.com has Houston winning 41 games next season en route to clinching another eighth-seeded playoff berth.

Harden should have every right to be peeved with management. But he is more complicit in the state of the franchise after signing a four-year, $118 million contract extension, so he can't be that angry.

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

Another year of treading water, and all the Dallas Mavericks have to show for their free-agency effort is the expiring contract of Andrew Bogut and the maxed-out Harrison Barnes.

If Dirk Nowitzki accepted a pay cut for this latest Dallas placeholder, he would most definitely headline our list. But his two-year, $50 million pact softens the blow of yet another disappointing Mavericks offseason.

Ditto for trade rumors. Word came from the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett in March that the Boston Celtics made a bid for Chicago's All-Star shooting guard at February's trade deadline. Butler's name never left the rumor mill thereafter. General manager Gar Forman wouldn't even guarantee his future at season's end, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. 

Months later, with Butler's rumor factory churning out material at full bore, the Bulls shipped Rose to the New York Knicks. Fine. Great. Dandy. That should have meant Butler was safe. It didn't.

Marc Stein of ESPN.com had Chicago nearing a deal on draft night that would have sent Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves, reuniting him with former Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau. Nothing happened.

At least the conjecture on that front has cooled. Except Butler is now headlining a Chicago team that is no more fit to accentuate his rise through the superstar ranks than last year's disappointing squad. 

The Bulls signed Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade in free agency, because, apparently, they believe NBA games are now played with three basketballs. Neither of them complement Butler well, and the over/under on the number of defensive assignments blown by the two newcomers is unofficially set at infinity.

Player	FGM %AST	FGM %UAST
Butler	47.9	52.1
Rondo	28.2	71.8
Wade	28.3	71.7

Oh! And on top of that, Butler is now left to answer questions about his role in Joakim Noah's and Rose's departures, per ESPN.com: "That has nothing to do with me. I don't move guys. It's like I always say, 'People are going to think what they want to think.'"

Preach on, Jimmy. We'll talk to you soon, presumably around the trade deadline. That's when it will become clear the new-look Bulls aren't championship contenders, and your name is once again mentioned in the same breath as the Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Timberwolves et al.

"I can't control that," Cousins said of Sacramento's draft-night decisions, per ABC 10's Sean Cunningham. "I control what I can control. I don't really understand it, but I do my job."

It looks worse for Cousins when considering the Kings already have Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufos, two other should-be centers. It looks worse still knowing Sacramento is looking to trade Rudy Gay, Koufos and Ben McLemore, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

On the bright side, the Kings didn't offload any first-round picks or prospects to make cap space for a Big Three of Marco Belinelli, Koufos and Rondo. That's progress. 

Then again, Sacramento's biggest free-agency signings were Matt Barnes, Garrett Temple and Anthony Tolliver. Letting Rondo walk also means Darren Collison is the team's lone true-point guard (sorry, Garrett).

It's almost like the Kings want to keep their streak of eight consecutive sub 35-win seasons alive. If so, good for them. Mission accomplished. But Cousins will become an unrestricted free agent in 2018, and the Kings have done nothing to suggest he should stay with them. It's only a matter of time before their relationship goes south again.

In the interim, until Cousins becomes the trade machine's center of attention, he should whet his get-me-out-of-here whistle by seeing how he looks in rival color schemes. After all, failing a trade that's been a long time coming, 2018 isn't that far away.

Life was difficult enough in 2015-16, with the Sixers juggling frontcourt minutes between Noel and Okafor. The former spent more than one-third of his minutes at power forward—a position which he isn't suited for.

That playing-time distribution will only increase if Embiid warrants consistent spin. Noel's overall minutes stand to plummet if no roster changes are made, since both Saric and Simmons need to see time at the 4.

There is no Okafor trade on the horizon to simplify the frontcourt rotation, according to Philly.com's Keith Pompey. The same goes for Noel. He appeared available ahead of the draft, per ESPN.com's Zach Lowe, but his name has since exited the rumor mill, according to the HoopsHype's tracker.

This isn't an ideal scenario for anyone in Noel's situation. He lost a season due to injury in 2013-14 and is still trying to find his footing as an NBA player. Will he ever hone a reliable touch outside the restricted area? Can he be an effective pick-and-roll rim-runner? Does he have the chops to anchor a top-tier defense? Those questions won't be answered accurately in Philly with the current status quo.

The real kicker, though? Noel is extension-eligible and probably won't land a deal by the late-October deadline if Okafor remains in town. And when he enters restricted free agency next summer, his market value could be curtailed thanks to the Sixers' overcrowded frontcourt rotation.

We're moving way past inadequate development here. The Sixers, as currently constructed, are threatening to lighten Noel's future pockets if they don't move him or Okafor soon.

This pointless infusion of bigs might anger Aaron Gordon. He's now a power forward-turned-small forward. But Orlando's new head coach, Frank Vogel, is already comparing him to Paul George, per ESPN.com's Zach Lowe. That flattery should keep any ill will Gordon might harbor at bay.

Vucevic's plight is more complicated. Biyombo and Ibaka will force him to function like a power forward on offense for long stretches at a time—a role that will de-emphasize his post game and drag him further away from the bucket.

As Lowe wrote of the Magic:

All could be salvaged if Orlando continues to slot Vucevic as a starter. He isn't prepared to accept a bench role, and "the Magic are in no rush to trade" him, according to Lowe. But did Orlando make Biyombo its highest-paid player, along with Evan Fournier, to play under 20 minutes per game off the pine? And what happens next summer if and when, as expected, the Magic offer Ibaka a max deal?

Even if Vucevic is guaranteed a starting spot in light of Orlando's cosmetic makeup, the spacing warts are a real concern. He will have to drastically change his game if most of his minutes are coming beside Gordon and Biyombo or Ibaka. 

Center was supposed to be one of the few spots in which the Magic were set. Vucevic gave them a known commodity. The arrivals of Biyombo and Ibaka are, on some level, an inexplicable smack in the face—Orlando's actual intentions be damned.

John Wall has to be thrilled, right? The Wizards are right back in the "You could see them finishing in the top four of the Eastern Conference, but they probably won't, so let's not raise the bar too high #Fifth&SixthSeedsMatterToo" conversation. Is there anything more for which he could ask?

Luckily for the Wizards, they made a savvy, not-at-all-Durant-driven coaching decision by hiring Scott Brooks. Fortunate still, Wall is roughly five-to-seven years away from being the strongest-ever free-agent magnet.

"A few years from now, John Wall will do well as a free-agent recruiter," Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy wrote. "SO MANY college/high school stars tell me they consider John a friend/mentor." 

Too bad Wall is only under lock and key through 2018-19. The Wizards have three seasons to turn themselves into a viable contender before Wall gets wandering eyes—provided he doesn't have them already.

After inking Bradley Beal to a five-year, $128 million deal, Washington also has to find a way to restock the roster next summer with virtually no cap space. That's always fun and effective and not at all a reason to worry about Wall getting antsy. (Just kidding.)

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com unless otherwise cited. Salary information via Basketball Insiders.

Dan Favale covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @danfavale.

Add Tracy McGrady to list of former players “highly disapointed” Durant chose Warriors

It's not common for a college basketball senior to suddenly fly up NBA draft boards after three years of failing to win over scouts.

He went earlier (No. 6) in a draft than any senior since Sheldon Williams (No. 5) out of Duke in 2006. 

The year before Hield, it was Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky who blew up his senior year. He followed Creighton's Doug McDermott in 2014, Lehigh's C.J. McCollum in 2013 and BYU's Jimmer Fredette in 2011. There weren't any seniors taken in the lottery in 2012 or 2010.

In 2017, no senior has a better shot than Clemson's Jaron Blossomgame.

He's coming off his second consecutive season showing significant improvement—a trend we've seen from previous breakout seniors.

"I feel I can come back and improve my stock tremendously with the opportunities I have here at Clemson,” Blossomgame said, per the Post and Courier's Aaron Brenner.

Last May, he used the NCAA's new draft-eligibility rule to work out and speak with teams before opting to return. Being able to attend the NBA Draft Combine and perform well—16 points and 10 rebounds during the Day 2 scrimmage—should only act as a confidence-booster.

Meanwhile, he was the one player to attend both the Nike Skills Academy and Adidas Nations in July.

Between his gradual rise, summer experiences and the fact that we're talking about an explosive, 6'7 ½", 218-pound wing, Blossomgame's stock appears ready for takeoff. 

He already aces the eye test with textbook physical tools and exciting athleticism—usually half the battle for NBA hopefuls. 

Blossomgame projects as a two-way scorer at the 3 or even small-ball 4. His game is reminiscent of that of Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler in terms of style of play and skill set. 

The drive is Blossomgame's bread and butter in the half-court, whether it's off a first-step move, pump-fake or rip-through. He blends solid quickness with body control and the strength to finish through contact.

But as a junior, he expanded his scoring versatility, which took his offensive game and production to new levels. He added everything from post-ups to floaters:

To pull-ups and spot-up threes:

Blossomgame erupted late last season with 30 points against Notre Dame, 33 against North Carolina State and 31 against Virginia. He poured in at least 20 points in 11 of Clemson's final 14 games. 

It felt like a preview of what's to come in 2016-17, when he's likely to take more than the 12.6 field-goal attempts he averaged his junior year.

He'll also have the chance to continue building his defensive image, particularly against younger, flashier ACC assignments like Duke's Jayson Tatum, Florida State's Dwayne Bacon and Jonathan Isaac and Syracuse's Tyler Lydon. These matchups represent opportunities for Blossomgame to showcase his ability to guard high-level talent of all different shapes. 

He isn't the sharpest defender, but he possesses the tools, versatility and competitiveness to create the perception that defensive potential exists.  

Since playmaking won't be under Blossomgame's NBA job description as a slashing combo forward, it's not a weakness that should block his path up draft boards. Shot-making is another story. 

He only hit 36.3 percent of his two-point jumpers, per Hoop-Math.com, and though the 44.1 percent he shot from deep was a major step in the right direction, 102 total attempts isn't the most convincing sample size. Plus, funky shot mechanics—which consist of a push motion in front of his face—suggest adjustments may be needed.

The good news: If there is a prescription known to help improve shot-making accuracy, it's heavy reps and confidence. And Blossomgame should have both entering his final college season. 

Though nobody could have predicted Hield's rise to the No. 6 pick before last season, Blossomgame's draft ceiling doesn't seem to go that high—at least not this particular year, with projected one-and-done freshman stars like Washington's Markelle Fultz, Duke's Harry Giles, Kansas' Josh Jackson and North Carolina State's Dennis Smith Jr.

Throw in Tatum, UCLA's Lonzo Ball, California's Ivan Rabb and France's Frank Ntilikina—a group I'd pencil into the next tier—and it's tough to imagine many open top-10 spots.

Eventually earning consideration in the late-lottery range would require Blossomgame to return as a sharper, more complete all-around player. But if there is a senior capable of climbing next year's board, this is the guy.

Other senior prospects on the verge of breakout seasons include: Iowa State's Monte Morris, Oregon's Chris Boucher, Notre Dame's V.J. Beachem, Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes, Arkansas' Moses Kingsley, Valparaiso's Alec Peters, Villanova's Josh Hart and Syracuse's Tyler Roberson. 

However, none of them can match the height of Blossomgame's ceiling, which is powered by tools, bounce, translatable skills and room for growth. Though he'll be older than most in the 2017 field (he turns 23 in September), his best-case outcome as a pro still packs enough upside to justify interest from late-lottery teams. 

Assuming he can build on last year's numbers and overall performance, he is one of the more proven prospects with a body and game that fit the NBA.

I'm buying preseason stock in Blossomgame, who's more of a steady bloomer than a late one.

While Andrew Bogut and other Olympians deal with the alleged subpar living conditions of the Olympic Village in Rio, the United States basketball team will be chilling on a luxury cruise ship.

The boat will feature beds that are long enough to allow the athletes to sleep comfortably, rather than hotel beds that may cause the taller players to dangle over the edge. And that's just the beginning of it. There will be chefs, a pool, a library and more.

In other words, this will be closer to the 5-star hotels they are used to staying at than the Olympic Village would be.

Team USA is already expected to win the gold medal. Given the players have a quality place to stay, the team should be more than ready to go when it comes time to hit the hardwood.

[Twitter]

In the new NBA, success typically hinges on three-point shooting and stretching the court. As a result, long-armed players who can defend multiple positions and disrupt ball movement have become incredibly valuable. 

I was able to find the majority of the data from the DraftExpress database, but there were still over 100 players without listed wingspans. I used Google in those cases, filtering through various news reports and scouting reports to determine the best estimate.

For the few players with no available wingspan measurement, I estimated their wingspan at the league average of 1.06 times their height.

Wingspan

But what is "average" length? Merely finding an NBA player's average length isn't quite accurate because different positions come with different lengths. So here are each position's average wingspan and height:

Combining the five averages, then, the average lineup is roughly 415 inches fingertip-to-fingertip.

Based on that, these are the longest teams in the NBA (clicking on the team name will show the combined wingspan):

Surprisingly, the Minnesota Timberwolves are the longest team in the league at 421.81 inches. Considering how much new head coach Tom Thibodeau loves exploiting length in his defense, that could be very interesting.

The Golden State Warriors might not have the deepest team at center since acquiring Kevin Durant, but it's striking that they're the third-longest.

The fact that the Milwaukee Bucks are only seventh-longest is startling. However, we're looking at the whole team's averages here, not just starters or longest feasible lineups.

At 408.06 inches, the Denver Nuggets are on the other end of the spectrum—nearly two feet smaller than the average Wolves lineup.

Here's what happens when we only look at the starters:

The Miami Heat are the longest starting team with Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside combining for 178.5 inches. The Utah Jazz are second with their frontcourt tandem of Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors extending to 180.5 inches.

Height

Now, let's look at height, which averaged out at 392.3 inches.

The team columns are in the same order as wingspan to illustrate the differences between the two measurements on any given squad:

Right away, one observation leaps out: While the Wolves will be an incredibly long team next year, they won't be the tallest. There, they sink to fifth. The Utah Jazz are the tallest team with an average lineup of 397.54 inches (meaning an average height of 6'7 ½" per player).

The Sacramento Kings are both long and tall, but they're probably not going to be very good. The Bucks are third. The Philadelphia 76ers are up there with all of their bigs.

The Boston Celtics are at the bottom of the ladder. At a stubby 386.29 inches, they're about two inches shorter per player than the Jazz. Interestingly, the Nuggets—who were at the bottom of the wingspan list—are closer to the middle of the pack in height.

Looking at height for just the starters, the Wolves jump back on top, while the Jazz sink to a tie for fifth.

Most franchises seem to have concluded wingspan is more important than height, but a few teams, such as Denver and Indiana, aren't as sold.

Pterodactyl vs. T-Rex

Which players have the highest wingspan-to-height ratios? And which teams have the lowest? Here's every player in the league. Use the drop-down window to select a team:

And here is the All-Pterodactyl vs. All-T-Rex team:

The "T-Rex" team is nearly 13 inches taller, but the "pterodactyls" have a plus 30-inch advantage in wingspan. And players like Kawhi Leonard, Bismack Biyombo, Taj Gibson and Eric Bledsoe are some of the best defenders at their positions, if not in the entire league. That would certainly indicate length can be a big edge.

Lineups and Defense

But how much difference does it really make on defense? Do the best defensive groupings have a length or height advantage? I looked at the top lineups in defensive rating at NBA.com, comparing their height and length. Scroll over the lineup to reveal the defensive rating:

Surprisingly, the top 10 defensive lineups were only an average of 391.21 inches tall and had a wingspan of just 414.51 inches. They're both about an inch short of the league average, which isn't what you would expect.

While this is just one factor in the increasingly sophisticated business of NBA defending, it's still telling. An elite defensive lineup doesn't need a lot of height and length. 

However, while all the lineups don't necessarily have exceptional overall length, each of the top lineups seem to have at least one player with extensive length (Biyombo, Gibson, Whiteside, Andre Iguodala, etc.) 

Still, length can't be viewed as a standalone virtue. It may help, but it doesn't guarantee anything. 

Try It Yourself

Here's a tool that allows you to tinker with different lineups and find the longest combinations of players on your team. Use the various drop-down menus to choose a team, position, player or role. You can also use the radio button to see height, wingspan and weight of each lineup. 

Maybe you want to see how the Bucks would look with a lineup of Thon Maker, John Henson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jabari Parker. The answer is 430 inches, or 35'10"! If they stood about two feet apart from one another, they would span almost the full width of the basketball court.

You can also determine the combined height, wingspan or weight of any lineup with the league's current players.

Compare them with the lineups at NBA.com to see whether the extra size paid off last year or the lack of it hurt them. If you find any intriguing results, feel free to share them in the comments section. 

Although it's been just over a month since the NBA draft on June 23, many rookies have already been shining in summer league or even during Olympic training. 

Watch as Bleacher Report's Lead NBA Draft Writer Jonathan Wasserman discusses his predictions for the 2016-17 All-Rookie Team with Stephen Nelson.