Top 5: Young up and coming teams

(June, 23rd 2015) By: Ira Barasch

  Since the Golden State Warriors won the NBA championship with such a young team, lets look at other teams who seem to be gearing up with young players and may be primed for a deep playoff run in the near future. 

Honorable mentions: The Charlotte Hornets (33 – 49) The Boston Celtics (40 – 42) The Minnesota Timberwolves (16 – 66) 

5. The Orlando Magic: After a breakout year from point guard Elfrid Payton, the magic have added another piece to their already slowly growing arsenal. Along with Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vučević their young roster is growing more and more talented. The upcoming draft is crucial to add another piece, look for the magic to be on the rise. 

4. The Utah Jazz: After going 38 – 44 this past season the jazz have started to climb out of the cellar. With Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, and Gordon Heyward leading the way with young players in Dante Exum and Trey Burke still developing, this team is loaded with talent. Also a very crucial upcoming draft for them. 

3. The Washington Wizards: John Wall. Need I say more? Ok fine, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter Jr., happy now? This team made a decent playoff run this past season thanks to veteran leaders such as Paul Pierce, Nene and with Marcin Gortat also having a nice season. Expect this team to keep on improving and starting to cause some chaos in the Eastern Conference. 

2. The Milwaukee Bucks: This team just keeps getting more and more intriguing. We haven't seen much out of Jabari Parker, but he seems to be a dominant big man. Together with Giannis Antetokounmpo (A.K.A the 'Greek Freak') and Michael Carter – Williams they have a young core that just keeps improving. Don't be surprised if this team becomes a staple in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. 

1. The New Orleans Pelicans: Ladies and gentleman, Anthony Davis has arrived. This kid has “future MVP” written all over him. His backup in Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday are not to be taken lightly either. This team is legitimately only a few pieces away from a title, so expect to be hearing their name a lot, because they're not going anywhere.

Top 5: NBA Free agent bargains for 2015

(June, 11th 2015) By: Ira Barasch

Welcome to Top 5, where once a week we will be making a ranking of random NBA topics. This week is affordable free agents.

Honorable mentions: these players didn't quite make the Top 5, but deserve a mention regardless 

Al Jefferson (19.2 ppg, 9.6 rbpg last 2 seasons) 

 Tyson Chandler (9.5 ppg, 10.5 rbpg last 2 seasons) 

Corey Brewer (11.2 ppg last 2 seasons) 

Jeremy Lin (11.85 ppg, 4.35 apg last 2 seasons) 

Andrea Bargnani (14.05 ppg last 2 seasons) 

Gerald Green (13.8 ppg last 2 seasons) 

Top 5:

5) Louis Scola (8.5 ppg 5.65 rbpg last 2 seasons) Sneaking into the 5 is Scola, who admittedly hasn't been his best the last few seasons. Yet this is about finding a bargain, a diamond in the rough. For a team looking for some depth in the front court and is willing to take a risk and hope he returns to form, it might be worth signing him. 

4) Robin Lopez (10.35 ppg, 7.6 rbpg) Lopez is an under the radar steal this year. He might not be as effective or high profile as his twin brother, but he is also bery effective. While others are worried about big names such as Rajon Rondo, Kevin Love, Marc Gasol, and Lamarcus Aldridge; Lopez is effective and can be snatched up by anyone needing a potential dominant big man. 

3) Jeff Green (15.18 ppg last 2 seasons) in our 3 spot is a man who can flat out score, but not much else. Green was traded from the Celtics to the Grizzlies over this past season and his scoring suffered as a result. Yet he's a perfect one or two year contract for a team looking for a second option or looking for some help off the bench. 

2) Amar'e Stoudamire (11.45 ppg last 2 seasons) Standing Tall And Talented at number 2 is the biggest question mark on this list. Amar'e is injury prone but the past 2 seasons have showed a lot of promise. When looking at his average over 36 minutes his scoring skyrocketed to 23.5 pts. Any team lacking in the front court and willing to take a risk might just strike it big with S.T.A.T if he's used primarily off the bench and only in spurts. 

1) Thaddeus Young (14.08 ppg 5.45 rbpg last 2 seasons) Our number one bargain of the off season is Thad Young. This man needs a stable job on a team. After bouncing over 3 teams the past 2 seasons (Phi → Min → Bklyn) his talent has been misused and he has been taken for granted. Easily one of the most serviceable big men in the league, he could be a big piece for any team looking for a starting big man or an edge to get them over the hump. A must sign.