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Michigan State Basketball: How good would current all-Spartan NBA team be?

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 14, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) reacts to officials during the second quarter of a game against the Toronto Raptors at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) reacts to officials during the second quarter of a game against the Toronto Raptors at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 08: Denzel Valentine #45 of the Chicago Bulls reacts against the Brooklyn Nets in the first half at Barclays Center on March 08, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 08: Denzel Valentine #45 of the Chicago Bulls reacts against the Brooklyn Nets in the first half at Barclays Center on March 08, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

SF. Bulls. Denzel Valentine. player. Pick Analysis. SF. 24. Scouting Report

After a disappointing third year in the NBA, it seems as if Denzel Valentine is starting to figure it out, averaging 7.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 18.6 minutes which is the second-most playing time in his career. He’s also shooting a career-best 46 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3-point range.

Expect Denzel to come off the bench and play some point as well as small forward because the Spartans don’t truly have a backup point guard for Cassius Winston.

Pick Analysis. PF. Xavier Tillman. player. 211. Scouting Report. Grizzlies. PF

I could see Xavier Tillman being the sixth man on this team, but Denzel has experience on him and there may be a need for Valentine to sub in at the point for Cassius in a pinch.

Tillman, however, has been one of the most surprising rookies in the league after falling to the second round in the 2020 NBA Draft. Tillman is fresh off a career game with the Grizzlies in which he scored 12 points with five rebounds, three assists and two steals and he’s up to 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.7 blocks per game in his rookie year. He’s going to be a problem.

89. Bucks. Bryn Forbes. SG. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. SG

The third guy off the bench would have to be Bryn Forbes and he’s had a heck of an NBA career after going undrafted. He is one of those elite shooters that teams covet coming off the bench.

Forbes played his first four years in San Antonio with the Spurs and averaged over 11 points in each of his last two seasons before joining the Bucks in 2020-21. He’s averaging 8.2 points for a contender, shooting 47 percent from the floor and 44 percent from deep. He’s coming off the bench after starting 143 of his previous 145 games with the Spurs.

Overview

How good with this all-Spartan team be? With an unproven point guard and short bench, they could probably be around the Nos. 8-10 range in a playoff race. They have shooting and defense and that could help carry them. Draymond and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the post with Xavier Tillman coming off the bench would be brutal for opponents. Gary Harris at shooting guard would be tough as well.

Athleticism would also be there with Miles Bridges, Harris and Jaren Jackson Jr. There’s a good mixture of offense and defense but it’s a fringe playoff team, at best.

Add some depth with more draftees in the near future and you’re looking at a playoff team.

Next. MSU basketball: 5 bold predictions for January. dark

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