How will the departure of Yang Hansen impact the Qingdao Eagles?

 

                                              (Credit: Xinhua/Jiang Han) 

One of the more intriguing players drafted in this year's NBA Draft is 7'1" center Yang Hansen from Zibo, Shandong, China (淄博市,山东,中國) . Before being drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis Grizzlies) with the 16th overall pick, Yang played for the Qingdao Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association, located in Qingdao, Shandong, China (青岛市, 山东,中國). The Eagles finished in 8th place this past season, with a 31-15 overall record. The Eagles made the playoffs (12 teams), winning their first round best-of-three series against the Zhejiang Golden Bulls 2-1. However, the Eagles then fell to the Zhejiang Lions in the quarterfinals best-of-five series 3-2, ending their season. 

Yang was the number three scorer on the team, averaging 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game, forming a solid trio along with power forward Jordan Mickey (20.0 points & 9.5 rebounds) and guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (27.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, & 7.5 assists). Together, they were able to help guide the Eagles to not only a playoff appearance, but also a first round series victory. 

With Yang now in the NBA, that alone is going to make it tougher for the Eagles to get back to the playoffs next season. He was a key part of their team for the past two seasons and gave them a sound inside presence capable of scoring, rebounding, and facilitating in the post. To make matters even worse for the Eagles, Weatherspoon has also departed the team, opting to sign with the Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. 

With two of their big three gone, it's going to be on Mickey's shoulders to carry the scoring load unless they can find a way to get him some help. As for who will replace Yang inside, 6'9" forward/center Junhu Lu is projected to be the starter inside, averaging 4.8 points & 2.7 rebounds per game last season. The 26 year old will have to take a big step forward if he's going to justify getting the kind of minutes that a starter typically gets. 

The bottom line is the departure of Yang Hansen to the Portland Trail Blazers is a big blow for the Qingdao Eagles and then to have Quinndary Weatherspoon also leave just makes matters worse. Odds are good they'll take a step back this season and enter a bit of a rebuilding phase. Of course, the silver lining for the Eagles is the fact that they now have an alumni and homegrown talent playing in the NBA. The more Chinese players you have playing in the NBA, the better it is for the Chinese Basketball Association and the national basketball scene as a whole. 

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What will Ace Bailey bring to the Utah Jazz?

 

                                             (Credit: Getty Images) 

When the Utah Jazz selected Rutgers forward Ace Bailey with the No. 5 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, there were a lot of questions about whether or not he really wanted to be in Utah. From what I've heard, it sounds like that was mostly his agent/representation causing the commotion. Something that should calm the fears of Jazz fans. With that drama now subsiding, Bailey has gotten to work and already seen some action for the team in Summer League. What I want to do in this blog post is share my thoughts on what he can bring to the Jazz. 

Upon watching some film, what stands out about Bailey is the physical gifts he has. He has tremendous size and length for the guard position. His measurements are bit all over the place, but in shoes, it's safe to say he's 6'9" and 200 pounds. He handles the ball well, has good form on his shot, and also possesses good moves in the post. In one Summer League game I watched, he had a nice turnaround fadeaway, something that not all rookies have when they come into the league. He elevates to the rim with ease and should thrive in transition. 

During his lone year at Rutgers, he averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game on 46.0% shooting from the field, 34.6% shooting from 3-point range, and 69.2% shooting from the foul line. To put up those numbers in the Big Ten is impressive. He showed an ability to get after it on the glass and score at a pretty efficient clip while also being effective on defense. He is a legit two-way player with great physical gifts. It's no surprise he was drafted as high as he was. 

Like all rookies, Bailey I'm sure will go through some growing pains as he adjusts to the NBA level, but there is no denying his talent. As the Jazz look to build a championship level roster, Bailey absolutely has the potential be an essential building block for them to build their franchise around. The key will be for them to put the right pieces around him and give him confidence that he can win if he stays in Utah. If they can do that, they might finally be on the path to building a championship level team. 

Note: This blog post also appears on my Utah Jazz blog. Click here to check that out. 

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What will Yang Hansen bring to the Portland Trail Blazers?

 

                                             (Credit: AFP) 

The 16th overall pick in this year's NBA Draft was Yang Hansen, who played for the Qingdao Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association, located in Qingdao, Shandong, China (青岛市, 山东,中國). Yang went to the Portland Trail Blazers via the Memphis Grizzlies. It wasn't surprising that he was selected, but it was surprising he went as high as he did. He was thought of being a more likely early second round selection. Yang made the decision to show up on draft night anyways and was rewarded for doing so. What I want to do is take a look at what he might bring to the Trail Blazers organization and the impact that he can make on the court. 

Listed at 7'1", 260 pounds, Yang is coming off a strong season with the Qingdao Eagles, guiding them to an 8th place finish and first round playoff best-of-three series victory (12 playoff teams). Yang averaged a double-double with his 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. He was a tremendous force inside, doing a nice job of scoring both inside and out while also protecting the rim. 

During NBA Summer League, Yang has averaged 10.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game. He's made an impact right away and held his own against some of the best young players in the NBA. He has shot 33.3% from 3-point range on 12 attempts, 45.7% from the field, and most impressively 87.5% from the foul line. He shot 67.1% from the foul line with the Eagles last season, so it looks like he's improved his foul shooting this summer. Though given it was on just eight attempts, the sample size is still pretty small. 

When watching his tape, what stands out about Yang is how poised he is on the court. He does a good job of gathering himself with his shot while also seeing the floor well, making the right pass to a cutting teammate. He also runs the floor well and is able to make plays in transition. There's a lot to like with his game given how well-rounded he is. He can score both inside and out while also knocking down his free throws. On defense, he protects the rim and has proven to be a big body that is tough to score on. 

Overall, I think Yang Hansen has all the tools to be an effective player in the NBA. It might take a bit of time for him to adjust to the NBA game and level of play, but if he keeps growing his game, there's no reason to think the 20 year old can't end up being a cornerstone piece for the Trail Blazers for years to come. 

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How many titles are in the future of the Oklahoma City Thunder?

 

                                            (Credit: Justin Ford. Getty Images) 

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games to win the NBA Finals, winning Game 7 in Oklahoma City by a final score of 103-91. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA Finals MVP, finishing with 29 points, five rebounds, 12 assists, one steal, and two blocks in the deciding game. It capped an off amazing season for the Thunder as they won their first championship in franchise history. The Seattle Sonics won an NBA championship back in the 1979, but that doesn't really count. Especially since once Seattle gets a team, the colors, name, and history of the Seattle Sonics will be returned to the city in full. 

Anyways, I digress. This was an historic championship for the Thunder and now the question is how many are in their future? Will this be the only one this group wins or are we looking a team that has the potential to win multiple? Given the fact that their average age is 25.6 years (the second youngest team to win an NBA title behind the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers), they have to like their odds of stringing together at least a couple more titles. So long as they keep their trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, & 6.4 assists), Jalen Williams (21.6 points & 5.3 rebounds), and Chet Holmgren (15.0 points & 8.0 rebounds), they should remain a dominant force in the NBA. They have a nice blend of inside and outside scoring while playing with a pace of play that is difficult to stop. 

On top of that, Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning NBA regular season MVP. He was the best player in the game last season and at 27 years of age, he should have several more seasons of elite basketball ahead of him. When you have the best player in the game on your team, you are always difficult to stop. 

The biggest question mark I think is how they'll handle being the hunted. They kinda came out of nowhere to win the title. Next season, they're going to have a target on their backs as the defending champions. They're going to get everyone's best effort and there's going to be a more concerted effort to stop them. Some teams rise to the occasion and remain on top while others fall. It's going to be fascinating to see how they handle that. 

Regardless of what the future holds for the Thunder, they had a memorable championship run and brought a lot of joy to their city. They made history on multiple fronts and did so playing an exciting brand of basketball. That's something that can never be taken away from them. 

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Are the Pacers and Thunder destined to play a Game 7 in the NBA Finals?

 

                                             (Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) 

The NBA Finals is tied up 2-2 after the Oklahoma Thunder took back home court from the Indiana Pacers with a 111-104 victory on Friday in Indiana. Game 5 will be on Monday at 5:30 PM PT/8:30 PM ET on ABC in Oklahoma City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder with 35 points on 12/24 shooting from the field and 10/10 shooting from the foul line. He was playing fantastic and did all he could to ensure his team didn't go down 3-1. 

One of my five things to look for going into the NBA Finals was how much home court advantage would matter given the passionate fanbases that both teams have. Each have won a game on each other's home floor, but given the raucous environments that we've seen, I have a hard time seeing a road team win another game in this series. The Thunder certainly seemed poised to go up 3-2 on Monday and then on Thursday in Indiana, I have to think the Pacers bounce back to make it 3-3, forcing a Game 7. 

As well as the Pacers have played during this series, I don't see them dropping three straight games to lose the series 4-2. Tyrese Haliburton has simply been playing too well to let that happen. I also don't see Aaron Nesmith scoring eight points again in Indiana, either. One has to think in a do or die game in Indy, Nesmith will come out as a flame flower. As for the Thunder, I do think they're the better team on paper and so on those grounds, I can't see them dropping another game at home. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the most part as lived up to his MVP status and I think when the lights come on, he'll deliver the goods. Especially on his home floor. 

While anything is possible in the NBA Finals, just given the vibe and the way things are going, I do see this series going to a Game 7. And if it does, Oklahoma City will have the advantage. Winning a Game 7 on the road in the NBA Finals is incredibly hard to do, but I suppose if anyone is up to hit a game-winning shot in those circumstances, Tyrese Haliburton would be your guy. It should be fun to see how this series shakes out!           

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Tyrese Haliburton is having an NBA playoff performance for the ages

 

                                             (Credit: Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images) 

Indiana Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is having an NBA playoff performance that is on track to be one of the greatest of all-time should his team go on to win the NBA Finals. Haliburton hit a game-tying buzzer beater at Madison Square Garden to force overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks (the Pacers went on to win) and then he hit a game-winning shot to beat the buzzer against the Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Hitting a buzzer beating shot is rare y'all. Like, even if you are an all-time great, it still doesn't happen very often. To do it twice in a playoff run, both in the first game of the Conference Finals and then NBA Finals is just nuts. It's beyond storybook. 

What's amazing about this as well is the fact that Haliburton is just 24 years old and only in his fifth year in the NBA. He's doing stuff that many quality seasoned veterans have never done. To have the confidence and poise to hit these kind of shots at this age is remarkable. 

Of course, it's not just the game-winning shots that makes Tyrese Haliburton so special. He's leading the NBA playoffs with 9.5 assists per game, doing a fabulous job of creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. He's a true floor general that plays unselfishly while also having the ability to hit big shots when called upon. 

Lastly, what adds to Haliburton's mystique is the team is playing for. The Indiana Pacers have never won an NBA championship and are only in the NBA Finals for the second time in their history. To be doing what he's doing in a Pacers uniform I think makes it stand out all the more. While there is work to be done, if Haliburton and the Pacers win this series, we're gonna be talking about this playoff run for a long time. 

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Five things to look for in the 2025 NBA Finals: Thunder vs. Pacers

 

                                              (Credit: Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images) 

The NBA Finals begins Thursday, June 5th at 8:30 PM ET on ABC. Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder have home court advantage. Below are five things to look for in the series. Let's dive in! 

#1. How much will home court advantage matter? Being small market teams, the Pacers and Thunder both have fantastic home court atmospheres. It's going to be very tough to win on the road in this series. That said, the Thunder did win both regular season matchups this season, so they know how to win in Indiana. Granted a regular season game doesn't have the same juice as a playoff game, but still. Odds are good that whichever team can find a way to win one game on the opposing team's floor will win the series. Defending home court feels especially like a must given the rabid fanbases that each team has. 

#2. Can the Pacers contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the NBA MVP and has been playing brilliantly this entire season, averaging 29.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game this postseason. He's the best player in the series on paper. If the Pacers want any hope of winning the series, it'll have to start with containing Gilgeous-Alexander. Click here for my recent blogpost on SGA in case you missed that. 

#3. Will the Pacers' ball movement make a difference? The Pacers are averaging 28.1 assists per game in the playoffs while the Thunder average 25.3 assists per game. Leading the playoffs in assists per game individually is their star guard Tyrese Haliburton (18.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.4 steals). If the Pacers have any edge over the Thunder, it's their ball movement. But will it be enough to make a difference? That's the question. 

#4. Will Pascal Siakam's championship experience help the Pacers? Pascal Siakam has been fantastic for the Pacers, averaging 21.1 points & 5.8 rebounds per game in the postseason. He also has an NBA championship ring with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and he was very instrumental in their championship run, averaging 19.0 points & 7.1 rebounds per game during the playoffs. Having a guy who has been on this stage before is huge. If the Pacers do win this series, I would expect it to be due to Siakam being the series MVP. 

#5. Who will win the battle of the bigs? Both teams have some talented big men inside. The Thunder have Chet Holmgren (16.4 points & 8.6 rebounds) and Isaiah Hartenstein (9.2 points & 7.9 rebounds). The Pacers have Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner (15.6 points & 6.5 rebounds). While the guard play is more of a focus, the battle inside will have a huge impact on this series. 

Prediction: I gotta roll with the Thunder in six games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been amazing and the Thunder have home court advantage. It's definitely their series to lose. 

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