Post by TimPig on Jul 13, 2018 18:41:48 GMT
h/t eric for the macro to pull changes into a consolidated Excel format
I hope to make this a series if people enjoy it. I didn’t want to step on jhb ’s toes with his Rookie TC article, so instead I’m going to pick one player from each team who had a standout TC - either
or 
. There may be some rookies included, but I’ll be pulling from full rosters.
Boston Celtics
Ricky Davis
Before: B- C C- B C- A
After: B- C C B+ C- B
Overall, not a great camp for the Celtics. No big movers or shakers but at least last year’s lottery pick went +2. Jeezy didn’t give Davis any playing time at all so we don’t really know if TOs are a problem, so the handling grade increase will have a TBD effect. The +1 defense is a undoubtedly a big bonus.
Harlem Globetrotters
Dillon Chambers
Before: C+ B+ B B D+ D
After: C+ A- B- B D+ C
Another team that didn’t have a ton going on, which was to be expected as Landale, Schayes, and Delle Donne are all past the age where we might see any big bumps in TC but still young enough where they’re not rapidly declining. Chambers was handed the starting job last year and was a big upgrade over Jordan McLaughlin. The outside bump should help, lower handling hopefully means more scoring (without dipping any further to avoid losing starting eligibility), and the small bump in potential is always nice to see, even if it’s smoke and mirrors.
Miami Heat
DerMarr Johnson
Before: B- B C- C+ C B
After: B A- C C+ C A
I really wanted him at 1.3 and will forever compare his and Desmond Mason’s career. Johnson went +3 in the scoring grades, +1 in handling, and saw his display potential increase. He should be a big time scorer with those grades and his write-up.
New York Knicks
Firsto Picko
Before: A C+ B B+ B- B
After: A B- B- B+ B- B
Not much to see in The Big Apple as the Knicks have an average age of 73 years old, but the best get better as Firsto’s outside goes +1 and his handling goes -1. Maybe this year he can get over the 40 ppg hump.
Orlando Magic
Thomas Wilder
Before: C+ B B+ B+ C C
After: B- B A- B C B
Doing the Atlantic first is making me think this article series will be lame. This division is boring. Wilder went +1 inside and +1 handling, which makes it look like this combo guard may actually have a real future at point guard. If he’s not awful there, this could have big implications for Orlando, who have nice pieces in Griner and Parker but have struggled to fill in around them despite a number of moves.
Washington Bullets
Aljami Durham
Before: C+ B C+ B C+ B
After: C+ B+ B B+ C+ B
Finally, a team that did something interesting. Durham went +4 and did so in some important categories. The handling bump gets him to starting eligibility and the outside and defense grades both look really good now. I guess having Obama around really taught this young buck some things. Unfortunately for the Bullets, neither Shard nor Barkley did anything.
Washington Wizards
Drazen Petrovic
Before: D+ A D+ C+ D+ A
After: C- A C- B D+ A
This is mostly to troll Fecta, but perhaps Petrovic’s +1 inside and +2 defense will get him closer to not being a total washout. Maybe a +25 inside makes him start shooting a little bit and bumps up the three-point volume as well, where we know he can hit from.
Atlanta Hawks
Chris Chiozza
Before: B- B A- B+ C C
After: C+ B A- B C C
We’ll all be keeping a close eye on this guy, who is going to be eating up quite a bit of the Hawks’ cap for the next three years. With that being the case, you definitely don’t want to see him go -2, and certainly not in inside scoring and defense. Honorable mention to Kevin Knox, who went +1 inside during TC.
Charlotte Hornets
Vince Carter
Before: A- B- C C C- B
After: A- B- C- C+ C- B
The future hall of famer went +1 defense and -1 handling. I don’t think the worry was ever going to be his volume, so we’ll see how much that handling grade ends up being detrimental for Carter. Perhaps he’s working his way towards not being a total defensive liability.
Chicago Bulls
Sarunas Jasikevicius
Before: C B- B B D B
After: C+ B A- B D+ B
A dream TC at age 24 couldn’t make me any happier. Sarunas went +2 in his scoring grades, +2 handling, and +1 rebounding and still has all of his upgrades left. I’ll probably hang on to those for a bit to see where his real weaknesses lie.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Alvin Robertson
Before: C+ C B+ B- D A
After: C+ C+ A- B+ D B
Not much to see in the wasteland that is Cleveland, but Robertson went +4, including +1 outside and +1 defense. Unfortunately his display potential went down and if he’s done growing, he’s still not looking like a worthwhile player. Shoutout to the tank DeeAndre Hulett, who went +1 defense and +1 rebounding.
Detroit Pistons
Shamorie Ponds
Before: B B B+ A- C C
After: B B+ A- B+ C C
A solid camp for the Pistons' PG, who was given back the starting job after Chris Chiozza left for the greener grass of Denver. +1 outside is always nice to see and +1 handling should help with some turnover issues he had. Ponds was a pretty good defender with 2.1 bleals per game last year, but -1 defense could hurt that.
Indiana Pacers
Dan Cortezzee
Before: B- A- B C+ C C
After: C+ B+ B- C C C
Ouch. Cortezzee goes -2 scoring and -4 overall. Looks like this may be the end for the 4.0 legend. Honorable mention to elite D/R big Karim Shabazz who is on an elite contract and went -1 inside, -1 defense, +1 handling, and will get paid $12.5 million at age 31.
Milwaukee Bucks
Paul Pierce
Before: B+ C C- A C+ A
After: B C+ C- A C+ B
Not much change happened in milwaukee. Pierce goes -1 inside and +1 outside. I questioned the Pierce pick over Vince Carter, but at this point it doesn’t look like Trofie needs to lose any sleep.
Toronto Raptors
Cuttino Mobley
Before: B- C+ B- B- C A
After: B- B C+ B+ C B
After preseason he looked like he might be the best rookie in last year’s class. He had a nice but unspectacular inaugural season, but this training camp looks good for the 24-year-old. He goes +2 outside and +2 defense - two important categories - and -1 handling, which could be beneficial.
Dallas Mavericks
Al Harrington
Before: B+ C C- C+ C+ A
After: B+ C C- B- C+ B
In his last shot at a dream teen TC, Al didn’t do much. The +1 defense is nice, but I’d have really hoped to see bumps to either of his scoring grades and/or rebounding. He’s a combo forward, but the lack of outside shooting hurts at SF and the lack of rebounding hurts at PF. He’ll be a player, but the consensus seemed to be that he was going to dominate.
Denver Nuggets
Michael Jordan
Before: B C+ C- A- C- B
After: B+ B C A- D+ B
It may finally be time for Jordan’s coming out party. +3 scoring grades should increase volume and efficiency, two areas he needed some help. He was already a good free throw shooter, so the +2 outside should help a lot in the 3-point department.
Houston Rockets
Guy Beahm
Before: B B+ D+ B+ B A
After: B A- C- A- B B
Odin’s pet project had a nice TC with jumps in his outside and defense grades. He was already pretty good in both areas, but if he can become elite in them he may finally become the player we envisioned when Odin told us there was a HOF-caliber build sitting in the free agency scrap heap.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Collin Sexton
Before: B+ B+ B+ A- C+ D
After: B+ A- B A- C+ D
Sexton went +1 scoring - nice! He should score even more now. Except he lost his point guard eligibility and doesn’t have the upgrades left to get it back. I guess that means he’ll move to shooting guard and...Alex Schmidt (?) will take over at the point.
Phoenix Suns
Butch McRae
Before: B B B A+ C C
After: B- B- B- A+ C C
McRae is finally starting to show some signs of age. Last year, he improved in points per game, FT%, and 3P% after getting some help in the Lab. I don’t think that’ll be the case this year as he went -3, including -2 in the scoring department.
San Antonio Spurs
Jason Williams
Before: C- B- A B- C- B
After: C- B A+ B+ C- C
Apparently bringing in Courtney Alexander, who only went +1 in TC, was good for Williams. He goes +1 outside, +1 handling, and +2 defense, all important departments for a point guard.
Utah Jazz
Bol Bol
Before: C B+ B- B+ B+ C
After: C A- B A- B+ C
It’s probably nothing, but the Jazz were pretty consistent everywhere else. The second round creation pick went +1 outside, +1 handles, and +1 defense. He might end up being a good D/R big and after this season will likely have a normal contract.
Golden State Warriors
Quentin Richardson
Before: C B- C- C C A
After: C+ B+ C- C+ C B
Taco has been waiting for this. Finally, a training camp that wasn’t complete booty for the Warriors. Richardson goes +3 in the scoring grades and +1 defense. Looks like there’s a big opportunity in the Warriors’ backcourt with Okobo and Richardson. If Miles also pans out, watch out.
Los Angeles Clippers
Jake Shuttlesworth
Before: B+ B+ C- A- B- D
After: B+ B+ C- A- B- C
At age 34, Shuttlesworth showed no change to any of his display grades that matter. The +1 display potential can’t possibly be real. Shuttlesworth has already used his trip to Germany, so the fact that it looks like he’ll have at least one more year of being a very good player is huge for Fason, whether he keeps Shuttlesworth or deals him to another contender at some point who needs a rental.
Los Angeles Lakers
Len Bias
Before: A B C- B- C B
After: A B+ C B C B
This guy just keeps getting better and better. He’s already an elite wing and now will be even better with bumps to his outside, handling, and defense grades. Going +3 at age 25 when you’re already an excellent player is impressive. Bias is someone for SPL to build around.
Portland Trailblazers
Shareef O’Neal
Before: B C- D B+ C+ A
After: B+ C- D A- B- A
Another classic case of someone flourishing outside of the wasteland that is Charlotte. According to eric, O’Neal went +2 in his first three training camps combined, then immediately went +3 in his first since leaving Charlotte. He did so in the most important categories for a big, too, with his inside, defense, and rebounding grades going up. His defense and rebounding outputs already looked fine, and now he’ll be a better scorer, especially after Majic likely invests his remaining +23 in the scoring attributes.
Sacramento Kings
Peyton Gragg
Before: A- B+ C+ B B- B
After: A- B+ C B+ B C
Already one of the best power forwards in the league, Gragg’s D/R grades both saw a boost this offseason. He doesn’t turn the ball over so I’m not very concerned about the -1 handling grade. Honorable mention to Jalen Brunson who went +1 handling, giving him back his PG eligibility. Perhaps there is hope for Collin Sexton after all.
Seattle SuperSonics
Stromile Swift
Before: B C- D+ C+ C+ A
After: B+ C C- B B- A
Clearly the best training camp in the league, rookie or not. Swift went +6, seeing improvements across the board. I like what Duc is doing with his team after things fell apart in year two with the departure of Jon Pierce. Swift, Porter Jr., Langford, Melton, and Hughes should give this team a nice core for many years.
Vancouver Grizzlies
Ayo Dosunmu
Before: B- B B C+ D+ A
After: B B+ A- C+ D A
I’m really worried trading this guy is going to come back and bite me, even if I did get Halpert in return. Thankfully Sarunas had a good TC too. He’s still just 22 and went +4 in the offensive categories. The rebounding drop isn’t something you like to see, but not a big deal for a point guard. He also still has +25 left.
I hope to make this a series if people enjoy it. I didn’t want to step on jhb ’s toes with his Rookie TC article, so instead I’m going to pick one player from each team who had a standout TC - either
or . There may be some rookies included, but I’ll be pulling from full rosters.Boston Celtics
Ricky Davis
Before: B- C C- B C- A
After: B- C C B+ C- B
Overall, not a great camp for the Celtics. No big movers or shakers but at least last year’s lottery pick went +2. Jeezy didn’t give Davis any playing time at all so we don’t really know if TOs are a problem, so the handling grade increase will have a TBD effect. The +1 defense is a undoubtedly a big bonus.
Harlem Globetrotters
Dillon Chambers
Before: C+ B+ B B D+ D
After: C+ A- B- B D+ C
Another team that didn’t have a ton going on, which was to be expected as Landale, Schayes, and Delle Donne are all past the age where we might see any big bumps in TC but still young enough where they’re not rapidly declining. Chambers was handed the starting job last year and was a big upgrade over Jordan McLaughlin. The outside bump should help, lower handling hopefully means more scoring (without dipping any further to avoid losing starting eligibility), and the small bump in potential is always nice to see, even if it’s smoke and mirrors.
Miami Heat
DerMarr Johnson
Before: B- B C- C+ C B
After: B A- C C+ C A
I really wanted him at 1.3 and will forever compare his and Desmond Mason’s career. Johnson went +3 in the scoring grades, +1 in handling, and saw his display potential increase. He should be a big time scorer with those grades and his write-up.
New York Knicks
Firsto Picko
Before: A C+ B B+ B- B
After: A B- B- B+ B- B
Not much to see in The Big Apple as the Knicks have an average age of 73 years old, but the best get better as Firsto’s outside goes +1 and his handling goes -1. Maybe this year he can get over the 40 ppg hump.
Orlando Magic
Thomas Wilder
Before: C+ B B+ B+ C C
After: B- B A- B C B
Doing the Atlantic first is making me think this article series will be lame. This division is boring. Wilder went +1 inside and +1 handling, which makes it look like this combo guard may actually have a real future at point guard. If he’s not awful there, this could have big implications for Orlando, who have nice pieces in Griner and Parker but have struggled to fill in around them despite a number of moves.
Washington Bullets
Aljami Durham
Before: C+ B C+ B C+ B
After: C+ B+ B B+ C+ B
Finally, a team that did something interesting. Durham went +4 and did so in some important categories. The handling bump gets him to starting eligibility and the outside and defense grades both look really good now. I guess having Obama around really taught this young buck some things. Unfortunately for the Bullets, neither Shard nor Barkley did anything.
Washington Wizards
Drazen Petrovic
Before: D+ A D+ C+ D+ A
After: C- A C- B D+ A
This is mostly to troll Fecta, but perhaps Petrovic’s +1 inside and +2 defense will get him closer to not being a total washout. Maybe a +25 inside makes him start shooting a little bit and bumps up the three-point volume as well, where we know he can hit from.
Atlanta Hawks
Chris Chiozza
Before: B- B A- B+ C C
After: C+ B A- B C C
We’ll all be keeping a close eye on this guy, who is going to be eating up quite a bit of the Hawks’ cap for the next three years. With that being the case, you definitely don’t want to see him go -2, and certainly not in inside scoring and defense. Honorable mention to Kevin Knox, who went +1 inside during TC.
Charlotte Hornets
Vince Carter
Before: A- B- C C C- B
After: A- B- C- C+ C- B
The future hall of famer went +1 defense and -1 handling. I don’t think the worry was ever going to be his volume, so we’ll see how much that handling grade ends up being detrimental for Carter. Perhaps he’s working his way towards not being a total defensive liability.
Chicago Bulls
Sarunas Jasikevicius
Before: C B- B B D B
After: C+ B A- B D+ B
A dream TC at age 24 couldn’t make me any happier. Sarunas went +2 in his scoring grades, +2 handling, and +1 rebounding and still has all of his upgrades left. I’ll probably hang on to those for a bit to see where his real weaknesses lie.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Alvin Robertson
Before: C+ C B+ B- D A
After: C+ C+ A- B+ D B
Not much to see in the wasteland that is Cleveland, but Robertson went +4, including +1 outside and +1 defense. Unfortunately his display potential went down and if he’s done growing, he’s still not looking like a worthwhile player. Shoutout to the tank DeeAndre Hulett, who went +1 defense and +1 rebounding.
Detroit Pistons
Shamorie Ponds
Before: B B B+ A- C C
After: B B+ A- B+ C C
A solid camp for the Pistons' PG, who was given back the starting job after Chris Chiozza left for the greener grass of Denver. +1 outside is always nice to see and +1 handling should help with some turnover issues he had. Ponds was a pretty good defender with 2.1 bleals per game last year, but -1 defense could hurt that.
Indiana Pacers
Dan Cortezzee
Before: B- A- B C+ C C
After: C+ B+ B- C C C
Ouch. Cortezzee goes -2 scoring and -4 overall. Looks like this may be the end for the 4.0 legend. Honorable mention to elite D/R big Karim Shabazz who is on an elite contract and went -1 inside, -1 defense, +1 handling, and will get paid $12.5 million at age 31.
Milwaukee Bucks
Paul Pierce
Before: B+ C C- A C+ A
After: B C+ C- A C+ B
Not much change happened in milwaukee. Pierce goes -1 inside and +1 outside. I questioned the Pierce pick over Vince Carter, but at this point it doesn’t look like Trofie needs to lose any sleep.
Toronto Raptors
Cuttino Mobley
Before: B- C+ B- B- C A
After: B- B C+ B+ C B
After preseason he looked like he might be the best rookie in last year’s class. He had a nice but unspectacular inaugural season, but this training camp looks good for the 24-year-old. He goes +2 outside and +2 defense - two important categories - and -1 handling, which could be beneficial.
Dallas Mavericks
Al Harrington
Before: B+ C C- C+ C+ A
After: B+ C C- B- C+ B
In his last shot at a dream teen TC, Al didn’t do much. The +1 defense is nice, but I’d have really hoped to see bumps to either of his scoring grades and/or rebounding. He’s a combo forward, but the lack of outside shooting hurts at SF and the lack of rebounding hurts at PF. He’ll be a player, but the consensus seemed to be that he was going to dominate.
Denver Nuggets
Michael Jordan
Before: B C+ C- A- C- B
After: B+ B C A- D+ B
It may finally be time for Jordan’s coming out party. +3 scoring grades should increase volume and efficiency, two areas he needed some help. He was already a good free throw shooter, so the +2 outside should help a lot in the 3-point department.
Houston Rockets
Guy Beahm
Before: B B+ D+ B+ B A
After: B A- C- A- B B
Odin’s pet project had a nice TC with jumps in his outside and defense grades. He was already pretty good in both areas, but if he can become elite in them he may finally become the player we envisioned when Odin told us there was a HOF-caliber build sitting in the free agency scrap heap.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Collin Sexton
Before: B+ B+ B+ A- C+ D
After: B+ A- B A- C+ D
Sexton went +1 scoring - nice! He should score even more now. Except he lost his point guard eligibility and doesn’t have the upgrades left to get it back. I guess that means he’ll move to shooting guard and...Alex Schmidt (?) will take over at the point.
Phoenix Suns
Butch McRae
Before: B B B A+ C C
After: B- B- B- A+ C C
McRae is finally starting to show some signs of age. Last year, he improved in points per game, FT%, and 3P% after getting some help in the Lab. I don’t think that’ll be the case this year as he went -3, including -2 in the scoring department.
San Antonio Spurs
Jason Williams
Before: C- B- A B- C- B
After: C- B A+ B+ C- C
Apparently bringing in Courtney Alexander, who only went +1 in TC, was good for Williams. He goes +1 outside, +1 handling, and +2 defense, all important departments for a point guard.
Utah Jazz
Bol Bol
Before: C B+ B- B+ B+ C
After: C A- B A- B+ C
It’s probably nothing, but the Jazz were pretty consistent everywhere else. The second round creation pick went +1 outside, +1 handles, and +1 defense. He might end up being a good D/R big and after this season will likely have a normal contract.
Golden State Warriors
Quentin Richardson
Before: C B- C- C C A
After: C+ B+ C- C+ C B
Taco has been waiting for this. Finally, a training camp that wasn’t complete booty for the Warriors. Richardson goes +3 in the scoring grades and +1 defense. Looks like there’s a big opportunity in the Warriors’ backcourt with Okobo and Richardson. If Miles also pans out, watch out.
Los Angeles Clippers
Jake Shuttlesworth
Before: B+ B+ C- A- B- D
After: B+ B+ C- A- B- C
At age 34, Shuttlesworth showed no change to any of his display grades that matter. The +1 display potential can’t possibly be real. Shuttlesworth has already used his trip to Germany, so the fact that it looks like he’ll have at least one more year of being a very good player is huge for Fason, whether he keeps Shuttlesworth or deals him to another contender at some point who needs a rental.
Los Angeles Lakers
Len Bias
Before: A B C- B- C B
After: A B+ C B C B
This guy just keeps getting better and better. He’s already an elite wing and now will be even better with bumps to his outside, handling, and defense grades. Going +3 at age 25 when you’re already an excellent player is impressive. Bias is someone for SPL to build around.
Portland Trailblazers
Shareef O’Neal
Before: B C- D B+ C+ A
After: B+ C- D A- B- A
Another classic case of someone flourishing outside of the wasteland that is Charlotte. According to eric, O’Neal went +2 in his first three training camps combined, then immediately went +3 in his first since leaving Charlotte. He did so in the most important categories for a big, too, with his inside, defense, and rebounding grades going up. His defense and rebounding outputs already looked fine, and now he’ll be a better scorer, especially after Majic likely invests his remaining +23 in the scoring attributes.
Sacramento Kings
Peyton Gragg
Before: A- B+ C+ B B- B
After: A- B+ C B+ B C
Already one of the best power forwards in the league, Gragg’s D/R grades both saw a boost this offseason. He doesn’t turn the ball over so I’m not very concerned about the -1 handling grade. Honorable mention to Jalen Brunson who went +1 handling, giving him back his PG eligibility. Perhaps there is hope for Collin Sexton after all.
Seattle SuperSonics
Stromile Swift
Before: B C- D+ C+ C+ A
After: B+ C C- B B- A
Clearly the best training camp in the league, rookie or not. Swift went +6, seeing improvements across the board. I like what Duc is doing with his team after things fell apart in year two with the departure of Jon Pierce. Swift, Porter Jr., Langford, Melton, and Hughes should give this team a nice core for many years.
Vancouver Grizzlies
Ayo Dosunmu
Before: B- B B C+ D+ A
After: B B+ A- C+ D A
I’m really worried trading this guy is going to come back and bite me, even if I did get Halpert in return. Thankfully Sarunas had a good TC too. He’s still just 22 and went +4 in the offensive categories. The rebounding drop isn’t something you like to see, but not a big deal for a point guard. He also still has +25 left.
