I mentioned recently in my weekly Reverse Standings column that the 76ers should use their first pick on Wiggins and use that second pick from New Orleans on a power forward named Noah Vonleh. Julius Randle has been the hyped power forward from this year's draft class, but recently, Vonleh has been shooting up the draft boards and many GMs have mentioned even taking Vonleh before Randle. But who exactly is Noah Vonleh?
After a season where the Indiana Hoosiers captured a number one seed in the NCAA tournament, leading contributors such as Victor Oladipo, Cody Zeller, and Christian Watford, the Hoosiers had a lot to replace in order to keep being successful. Indiana brought in the #4 ranked class, according to ESPN's rankings, and with it the 13th ranked prospect in high school, a power forward named Noah Vonleh. Whle guys like Wiggins, Randle, Parker, the Harrison twins, Embiid got a lot of preseason and regular season hype and accolade, Vonleh has been quietly been adjusting to Big Ten basketball and averaging nearly a double double, with 11.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Vonleh has a 7'3" wingspan, which is the biggest knock against Randle, who has been bashed for his small wingspan.
In addition to his intangibles and his scoring and rebound stats, Vonleh has developed a bit of an outside shot as well. He is shooting over 55% from three point territory and can spread the floor at the NBA level with that kind of 3 point threat. He would be a perfect fit for next season's 76ers, of course hoping that he falls to wherever the Pelicans pick. Imagine a lineup of MCW, Wiggins, Thad Young, Vonleh, and Noel; that lineup can do some damage and with the addition of another wing player a backup point guard and another scoring big man, that is a contending squad. We can only hope that a lineup like that comes to fruition for a deserving fan base.
Without further ado, here are the Week 15 Reverse Power Rankings:
The Contenders:
30) Indiana Pacers (38-10)
29) Oklahoma City Thunder (39-11)
28) San Antonio Spurs (35-13)
27) Miami Heat (34-13)
Fringe Contenders ( Could definitely win a title, but need to prove themselves soon):
26) Portland Trailblazers (34-14)
25) Los Angeles Clippers (34-17)
24) Houston Rockets (32-17)
23) Golden State Warriors (29-20)
Western Playoff Picture:
22) Phoenix Suns (29-19)
21) Dallas Mavericks (28-21)
20) Memphis Grizzlies (26-21)
Eastern Playoff Teams (AKA the worst at losing in the East):
19) Toronto Raptors (26-22)
18) Atlanta Hawks (25-22)
17) Washington Wizards (24-23)
16) Chicago Bulls (24-24)
Still In The Western Playoff Hunt:
15) Minnesota Timberwolves (24-24)
14) Denver Nuggets (23-23
Stuck Facing The Heat or Pacers Round One:
13) Brooklyn Nets (21-25)
12) Charlotte Bobcats (22-28)
Your Pick Will Be Ours:
11) New Orleans Pelicans (20-27)
Really Need To Make The Playoffs In The East:
10) Detroit Pistons (19-28)
9) New York Knicks (19-29)
8) Cleveland Cavaliers (16-32)
The Real Tanking Competitors:
7) Los Angeles Lakers (16-32)
6) Utah Jazz (16-32)
5) Sacramento Kings (16-32)
4) Boston Celtics (16-33)
3) Philadelphia 76ers (15-34)
2) Orlando Magic (13-37)
1) Milwaukee Bucks (9-39)
By: Dan Goggin
In addition to his intangibles and his scoring and rebound stats, Vonleh has developed a bit of an outside shot as well. He is shooting over 55% from three point territory and can spread the floor at the NBA level with that kind of 3 point threat. He would be a perfect fit for next season's 76ers, of course hoping that he falls to wherever the Pelicans pick. Imagine a lineup of MCW, Wiggins, Thad Young, Vonleh, and Noel; that lineup can do some damage and with the addition of another wing player a backup point guard and another scoring big man, that is a contending squad. We can only hope that a lineup like that comes to fruition for a deserving fan base.
Without further ado, here are the Week 15 Reverse Power Rankings:
The Contenders:
30) Indiana Pacers (38-10)
29) Oklahoma City Thunder (39-11)
28) San Antonio Spurs (35-13)
27) Miami Heat (34-13)
Fringe Contenders ( Could definitely win a title, but need to prove themselves soon):
26) Portland Trailblazers (34-14)
25) Los Angeles Clippers (34-17)
24) Houston Rockets (32-17)
23) Golden State Warriors (29-20)
Western Playoff Picture:
22) Phoenix Suns (29-19)
21) Dallas Mavericks (28-21)
20) Memphis Grizzlies (26-21)
Eastern Playoff Teams (AKA the worst at losing in the East):
19) Toronto Raptors (26-22)
18) Atlanta Hawks (25-22)
17) Washington Wizards (24-23)
16) Chicago Bulls (24-24)
Still In The Western Playoff Hunt:
15) Minnesota Timberwolves (24-24)
14) Denver Nuggets (23-23
Stuck Facing The Heat or Pacers Round One:
13) Brooklyn Nets (21-25)
12) Charlotte Bobcats (22-28)
Your Pick Will Be Ours:
11) New Orleans Pelicans (20-27)
Really Need To Make The Playoffs In The East:
10) Detroit Pistons (19-28)
9) New York Knicks (19-29)
8) Cleveland Cavaliers (16-32)
The Real Tanking Competitors:
7) Los Angeles Lakers (16-32)
6) Utah Jazz (16-32)
5) Sacramento Kings (16-32)
4) Boston Celtics (16-33)
3) Philadelphia 76ers (15-34)
2) Orlando Magic (13-37)
1) Milwaukee Bucks (9-39)
By: Dan Goggin
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