Bench Points By Joshua S. Cobb

A Break Down of the DeRozan & Kawhi Swap July 31st, 2018 After looking at this trade on the surface we know that Toronto is making a big move and most likely this is the largest gamble for the franchise has ever made. The trade synopsis includes: San Antonio Spurs receiving: G Demar Derozan C Jakob Potel Toronto Raptors receiving: F Kawhi Leonard G Danny Green To recap the motive of the trade we have to look back to the 2017 NBA Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors and the 2018 NBA season.. The genesis of this injury came about when the former Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard got banged up after a questionable closeout by Zaza Pachulia. He would not return for that series. Later that summer, he disclosed his quad injury to the Spurs and missed opening night. During the course of the season, Leonard was limited to playing in just nine games due to a lingering quadricep injury. In those nine games Leonard was able to average 16.2 PPG, 4.7 R...

Bench Points Podcast -  S01 E03 Podcast Ft. Justice Cobb  & Joseph Cobb Link:  https://soundcloud.com/benchpoint/s01-e03-early-offseason-trade-mavs-future-lebron-to-la-more-62618-1122-pm Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1404181193

Bench Points Podcast -  S01 E02 - 2018 NBA Draft - 6/24/18 Link:  https://soundcloud.com/benchpoint/s01-e02-2018-nba-draft-62418 Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1404181193

Bench Points Podcast - S01 E01 - Pilot - 6/24/18 Link:  https://soundcloud.com/benchpoint/s01-e01-pilot-62418 Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1404181193

Why LeBron Doesn't Get My Approval Rating Feb 12th, 2018 I am very sure that this title grabbed your attention and the first thought that came to your head is, "Oh here comes another LeBron hater," however, that is not the case. I have the utmost respect for LeBron James for the man that he is on and off the court. The four time NBA Most Valuable Player has been a class act as a businessman, father, husband, social activist and of course being a sure lock to be a top three player of all time. I have to preface this blog post with saying that, but now that we got that out of the way we can get into why I am not the biggest fan of his. My most passionate and singular reason on why I cannot hop on the LeBron James bandwagon is simply because of his sense of entitlement. Let me explain. Before being drafted in 2003, LeBron was probably the most hyped and noted high school prospect since Benji Wilson and it was rightfully so due to the greatness that he displayed in t...

Who won the Kyrie-IT trade? August 23rd, 2017 After about a month of the Kyrie drama we got a trade and my prediction in a previous article about Kyrie turned out to be correct. Boston received Kyrie Irving in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and that highly regarded Nets 2018 pick. Let me first state that I am eager to see a playoff series between both teams and that I like the deal for both teams. Cleveland obviously made a splash in this deal by not only getting a similar caliber player in Thomas but also getting a young post option and the draft pick. What I think we should focus on is the addition of Crowder, not only is he on a team friendly deal but Cleveland acquired one of the few wings in the Eastern Conference that can be a plausible option to guard LeBron James. By adding Crowder along with Boston loosing Bradley earlier this offseason, it deteriorates their defensive matchup versatility. Therefore, I am expecting LeBron and company to come ou...

What is going on in San Antonio? Feb 14th, 2018 "I'll be surprised if he returns this season." - Gregg Popovich To fill you in on the saga in San Antonio, it all started when their former NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard was injured and could not return after the opening game of the 2017 Western Conference Championship against the Golden State Warriors after a questionable closeout by Zaza Pachulia. According to SBNation.com's timeline, on September 30th, 2017, Kawhi first revealed his quad injury to the San Antonio Spurs and weeks later the Spurs announced that Leonard would miss the season opener and be out indefinitely. Eventually on December 12th, 2017, Kawhi made his 2018 season debut and averages 16.2 points per game in the nine games that he appeared in. Eventually, on January 17th the Spurs listed Leonard as out indefinitely and that takes us to recent comments by Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich in which he tells us that he would be surprised if he returns thi...

Timberpups to Timberwolves July 11th, 2017 As a Wolves fan I am very intrigued to see what noise they can make next year. Minnesota has not saw our NBA team even reach the playoffs since Kevin Garnett was in a uniform...the first time. Finally, we made some offseason noise and I will break some of it down. The first move that I loved might surprise you...WAIVING NIKOLA PEKOVIC. Pek was projected to make 11.6 million for the 2018 NBA Season and already earned 12.1 million in 2017. The problem with that is that he has never played a complete season and has only played 97 games in the past three seasons. Yeah he averaged more than 16 points in the 2013 and 2014 seasons but you know what they say, your best ability is availability. The second move I love was of course the most groundbreaking one and it was acquiring Jimmy Butler while still getting to draft in the first round (Justin Patton.) Of course we had to part ways with a promising offensive weapon in Zach LaVine who alwa...

NBA Offseason Wish List July 18th, 2017 So far the NBA offseason has been entertaining to say the least with superstar moves, the draft and of course following Lonzo Ball. However, there are some additional moves that would make me feel like a kid on Christmas again and I just wanted to share a few. Move #1: Finally Getting Melo out of New York Melo is obviously a generational talent but has made questionable basketball moves during the course of his career. He forced his way out of a solid contending Denver team and signed an extension with New York instead of going to Chicago to contend a few off seasons ago. Now at 33 years of age, Melo has finally decided he wants out of New York but there is just one issue...he is still under contract. Now he has a no trade clause and has made it clear he will only waive it for Cleveland or Houston. Realistically, Cleveland could only trade Love for Melo but that move doesn't really make them better and the Houston deal can only wor...

My Best Trade Scenario For Kyrie Irving July 26th, 2017 I know, there is a lot of Kyrie talk going down but as the story develops it gets better and better. After analyzing the turmoil and going through numerous trade scenarios on ESPN's Trade Machine (shoutout to ESPN for making that available online) I have decided on a particular trade destination that benefits both teams as well as the fans and guess what? The team I chose was not on is list. It is the Boston Celtics. Boston Receives: Kyrie Irving & Kevin Love Cleveland Receives: Al Horford, Isaiah Thomas & Jaylen Brown The first thing that I want to point out is the fact that the Cavs get the "young blue chip" demand that they are looking for in Jaylen Brown so you can check that box off. Additionally, you are getting an all star point guard in return in Thomas and exchanging all star caliber players (Love & Horford.) Now in order to make this deal happen you have to make a decision on Isaia...

Kevin Durant Aftermath Exactly One Year Later July 3rd, 2017 So now that Kevin Durant got that ring he shook up the league for. As you all know, Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder to join forces with the Golden State Warriors around this time last year which was an ironic day to make an independent move of this magnitude.  KD was ridiculed for the move due to the fact that he blew a 3-1 series lead to the Warriors for a trip to the 2016 NBA Finals. Durant was referred to as a "cupcake" to many and people from fans to sports media analysts referred to the move as weak and his competitiveness was up for question.  Subsequently, after a season full of storylines, subliminal antics from former teammates, a tension filled return to Oklahoma City and a dominant 67 win season, Kevin Durant pulled together yet another MVP caliber season averaging roughly 25 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. It can also be noted that if he did not miss 20 regular season games he would ha...

Grading the Lakers Rebuild Feb 14th, 2018 *A free photo from Pexels. Licensed under Creative Commons Zero. So the Los Angeles Lakers are now post Kobe era and are now trying to restore their prestigious legacy in the NBA. The Lakers have not been to the playoffs since the 2013 season and every year since has been a losing season. Being 20 years of age, it almost seems blasphemous to see a below average team in the Lakers that we have seen. Now are some enticing jewels on this roster that they have moving forward. Brandon Ingram is starting to bud into a star, Julius Randle is a solid workhorse down low, Kyle Kuzma is looking like the steal of the 2017 NBA Draft and of course Lonzo Ball is coming along. Another thing that raised eyebrows is the fact that the Lakers can sign two max contract players this offseason to turn around the franchise. Rumors of Paul George signing to go to LA seems like a plausible option, LeBron's indecisiveness in Cleveland raises the slight ch...