HoopsAnalyst

Kupchak highlights: youtube.com/watch?v=UNl4_t…

Bonus Hollander POTD Mitch Kupchak. UNC F was drafted 13th by WAS in 76 & was solid (peak 16 ppg 7 rpg). LAL signed him to deal in 81 + but was injured, barely played (173 gms in 5 yrs). Retired in 86, later GM of LAL. Per bio "real Huck Finn type who enjoys beer & pretty girls."

@DeepBenchNBA Great article! Hakeem clearly outplayed Ewing but NY still could've won. Cassell was the difference, particularly in Game 3 at MSG.

🚨 New story on Deep Bench Chronicles This one is a little different. I rewatched Game 7 of the 1994 NBA Finals and went back through the story around it: the buildup, the matchup, the aftermath, and the night everything fell apart for the Knicks. 🔗deepbenchchronicles.com/2026/05/17/gam…

@bcprice86 Just freeze your memory thru 2006ish and it will only be fond memories

@HoopsAnalyst Love Joe but he ruined my Pistons it's like he never quite could nail the drafts even though at certain points he did draft some good guys (Afflalo, Middleton), it was the lottery or top 15 guys he couldn't get right

Hollander POTD Joe Dumars. McNeese State SG was drafted 18th in 85 by DET. Was perfect partner for Isiah on the Bad Boys. Became a 6x All-Star who peaked at 23.5 ppg. 3x All-NBA, 5x All-Defense too. Played from 85-99 & then won title as DET GM. Now runs NO front office.

From Jet in July 89, Joe Dumars is Finals MVP:

Butler buzzer beater: youtube.com/watch?v=nM2TKC…

Hollinger POTD Rasaul Butler. LaSalle SF was drafted 53rd in 2002 by MIA. Made the team as a shooter who played some defense. Scored 7 ppg before trade to NO in 2005. Started from 2008-10 & peaked at 12 ppg. Bounced around from 2011-16 before retiring. Sadly died in 2018. RIP.

Gatt playing w/expansion Grizz (bonus sightings of Byron Scott, Brian Winters and others.... youtube.com/watch?v=3dvXt4…

Bonus Hollander POTD Kenny Gattison. Old Dominion PF was drafted 55th in 86 by PHO. After solid rookie year, missed almost 2 yrs w/injuries. Signed w/expansion CHA in 89, where he played 6 yrs peaking at 13 ppg, 7 rpg. Per bio "will run through a wall & ask why later."

Notre Dame's 86-87 squad was led by Royal and David Rivers went 24-8 & made the Sweet 16 before losing to UNC w/Kenny Smith, JR Reid & Joe Wolf.

Hollander POTD Donald Royal. Notre Dame SF was drafted 52nd in 87 but bounced around til he stuck w/ORL in 92. Was starter for 94-95 Finals team (DScott came off bench). Drew fouls well but not a great shooter. Cancer scare ended his career in 98 but he is healthy now.

Simmons 01 trade value column took Kobe slightly over T-Mac: grantland.com/features/sport…

Hollinger POTD Tracy McGrady. T-Mac was dominant in the early 2000s in ORL. This bio makes the case that 01-02 was the 3rd best player behind Shaq & TD. McGrady compared favorably to Kobe due to his usage & TS% on low TO%. Alas, injuries ended his peak early.

Follow up: their stats from 3 years later:

1/18/01: Fred Carter and Eric Karabell debate who they'd rather have in 3 years, Kenyon Martin or Elton Brand: espn.com/nba/oneonone12…

@HoopsMavenHM Loved me some Creek

Bonus Hollander POTD Gundars Vetra. Latvian SG/SF started as pro in Riga in 1984-92. Signed w/MIN in 1992 & missed most of the year w/injuries (3.5 ppg in 13 games). From 1993-02, playing mostly for CSKA Moscow. Has coached since 02. His daughters played D-1 college hoops.

@HoopsMavenHM He was no Andres Guibert?

@HoopsAnalyst He was (generally) not good.