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NBA Free Agency Frenzy

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Hal Schwimmer
Luxury suite seats overlook an NBA court

Fans will be clamoring for tickets to watch their favorite NBA teams following an exciting offseason

By Matt Lunde and Hal Schwimmer

 

NBA fans have seen almost as much action in the league during this offseason as they did during the regular season. Here are a few teams that have made a lot of noise thus far in free agency.

Golden State Warriors

We begin with the team that has and will continue to have the most buzz around the league for years to come: the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors officially awarded their Golden Boy, Steph Curry, with a whopping 5-year, $201M contract, making him the highest paid player in any of the four major U.S. sports leagues. With their leftover cash, the Dubs were able to retain most of their key rotation players, re-signing Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston. The Warriors still might not be done in free agency, as rumors have surfaced that they are pursuing veteran swingman Nick Young as yet another perimeter threat.

Additionally, Finals MVP Kevin Durant inked a 2 year, $53M contract. While this is still an enormous sum, Durant actually took a $10M cut from the max he could have received, partly to help the team pursue other free agents. Take this as you will, but perhaps KD is setting a selfless precedent for his teammates Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, who are both set to become free agents in two years. Barring injury, it would appear that the Warriors core will remain intact for at least the next two years. What a terrifying prospect for the rest of the league.

Oklahoma City Thunder

In other news, the Western Conference continues to get stronger as the Eastern Conference watches in despair. Pacers All-Star forward Paul George was shipped to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo and big man Domantas Sabonis. While George would normally have demanded a larger return, the Pacers had little leverage as most teams were afraid of George walking after his contract expires.

It will be an interesting experiment, as the Thunder now have two elite players in reigning league MVP Russell Westbrook and  his new running mate George. While it’s uncertain if this duo will remain together long term, at the very least this next season should be a fun one for Thunder fans.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Jeff Teague left the Pacers to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves, replacing starter Ricky Rubio, who was traded to Utah. The T-Wolves appear hungry as ever to end their NBA-high 13 season playoff drought, as they now boast a roster that includes Jimmy Butler, Karl Anthony-Towns, Teague, and Andrew Wiggins. With a starting five that boasts a former all star (Teague), a current all star (Butler), and a future all star (Towns), this Wolves team should have enough talent to compete with anyone else in the league. Reaching the playoffs should be an expectation, at the very least, for Tom Thibodeau’s squad.

Houston Rockets

While the Warriors are looking to build the next great NBA dynasty, several teams have gone all in this summer to challenge the Golden State supremacy. Daryl Morey and the Houston Rockets paid a heavy price when they traded for Clippers point guard Chris Paul, but the payoff may be well worth it. Paul is a future hall of famer, and one of the greatest pure point guards to ever play the game. He and James Harden are both basketball geniuses who make everyone around them better with their pin point passing and playmaking acumen. In addition to high volume scoring, Houston will also boast a significantly improved defense with Paul now hounding opposing guards at the point of attack.

Houston isn’t done making moves. While they lost most of their assets in the Paul trade, never count out Morey and his front office from finding a way to land a third star to the mix. A name being throw around currently is disgruntled Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony. If any team in the west can take out the Warriors, it might be these Rockets.

Boston Celtics

In an offseason that has seen heavy westward migration, Gordon Hayward zigged when the rest of the league zagged. The All-Star forward decided to reunite with his former Butler head coach, Brad Stevens, and play for the Boston Celtics. GM Danny Ainge has finally assembled Boston’s next great big three. Hayward will play alongside all-star point guard Isaiah Thomas and former all-star center Al Horford.

The acquisition of Hayward solidified Boston’s status as the best team in the Eastern Conference that doesn’t have Lebron James. While the Celtics were overmatched by Cleveland in last year’s conference finals, Hayward projects to narrow the gap between the two teams. Boston has one of the most well-rounded rosters in the league now, and aims to return to the finals for the first time since 2010.

Philadelphia 76ers

Meanwhile in Philadelphia, 76ers fans are not just trusting the process; they’re loving it. Philly already has an uber-talented young core in Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid. The Sixers decided to surround their young big three with veteran talent as a means of expediting the growth of the team. The team brought in sharp shooting guard J.J. Reddick and hard working forward Amir Johnson. Reddick will provide much needed spacing to the offense, keeping floor defenses honest to create driving lanes for Fultz and Simmons. Johnson provides a physical presence down low and a hard-working veteran mentality the young players can learn from.

 

This whirlwind of an offseason has raised the bar for the level of excitement in the upcoming NBA season. You can see these familiar faces in new places from the comfort of a luxury suite. Book your suite today at www.suiteexperiencegroup.com. What are you waiting for?

Hal Schwimmer

Contact Hal


Posted in Sports News, Uncategorized

NBA Draft Recap: Who Made a Splash at the NBA Draft

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Hal Schwimmer

 

Lonzo Ball Markelle Fultz

NBA Draft prospects Lonzo Ball and Markelle Fultz

 

The exciting 2017 NBA draft was completed on Thursday, June 22. With one of the most talented draft classes in recent memory, 30 teams and their respective fanbases looked for new reasons to be optimistic about the 2017-18 season and beyond. Let’s look at seven teams who particularly stuck out with the moves they made.

Philadelphia 76ers

After years of patiently waiting, Sixers fans are ecstatic to see the results of The Process. Markelle Fultz may not have played for a national powerhouse when he was at the University of Washington, but don’t let that deter you. He is the best guard in the draft, and will be a great fit in Philly’s offense, sharing the facilitator role with point-forward Ben Simmons.

While the last few years have been unmemorable for the Sixers, they now have a young core in place to let them compete for the years to come. In addition to Fultz’s all around dynamic game as a guard, Philly fans get to see him play alongside Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Dario Saric. Both Embiid and Saric were stand out rookies this past season, with Embiid showing glimpses that he could be the most dominant center since Shaquille O’Neal when healthy.

Philadelphia went all in, trading up to the number 1 pick, and Fultz’s potential can make this gamble look like a no brainer very soon. The Sixers are primed to take over the Eastern Conference very soon, as year one of the FEDS (Fultz, Embiid, Dario, Simmons) should be a good one.

Los Angeles Lakers

Lonzo Ball, along with the world’s most famous cheerleader parent, will be staying in the city of angels following a stellar season with UCLA. The Lakers played their hand early, dealing D’Angelo Russell a few days before the draft to make way for Ball to take over the point guard position. With Magic Johnson calling the shots now, LA will give Ball every opportunity to lead the way for hopefully the next great team in this franchise’s storied history.

Ball isn’t a good passer; he’s a great one. No one in college basketball saw the court better than Ball, who will look to spread the passing gene onto his teammates. Ball’s up tempo, pass-first, approach makes him an ideal fit for head coach Luke Walton’s offense. Players like Ball make the guys around them better, which is great news for fellow teammates Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle. Ball will make it his prerogative to get those guys the ball on the spots on the court where they’re most effective.

The Lakers aren’t used to being mediocre for too long, and expect to return to the NBA’s top tier sooner rather than later. They have the cap space to sign a max level free agent or two. Will it be another hometown player, such as Paul George? What about a certain small forward from Cleveland? Too early to tell, but the 2017 NBA draft was the first step in the right direction for this iconic franchise.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves already have one of the most promising rosters in the league. Former rookie-of-the-year Karl Anthony-Towns is still getting better, and hopes to make his first all star team this coming year. Fellow ROY winner Andrew Wiggins has all the tools to become one of the best two-way wings in the league. With Ricky Rubio running the offense, this young Wolves team is poised to compete in the West very soon.

Minnesota expedited the process by pulling an absolute heist on draft night. For only Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and the seventh pick in the draft, the team acquired all star Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls, along with the 13th pick. Reunited with head coach Tom Thibodeau, Butler looks to be the final piece in turning this team into a playoff contender. He’s an ultra-competitive, elite defender with an alpha dog scoring mentality. Alongside Towns and Wiggins, they form one of the most talented trios in the league.

The Western Conference is currently going through a shift in the balance of power. Yes, the Warriors are the best team in the league. However, the other major contenders (Rockets, Clippers, Spurs) are all dealing with roster questions they will need to address in the coming off seasons. This will create an opening for other teams in the conference to move up and challenge the Warriors for supremacy. The Butler trade shows that Minnesota thinks they’re ready to compete now.

Charlotte Hornets

Every draft class has a few players who outperform their expected output based on where they were drafted. Fans and GM’s alike scratch their heads trying to figure out how so many teams passed up on these talents. Notable examples are Kawhi Leonard, Marc Gasol, and Draymond Green. A prime candidate from this years draft to continue this trend is University of Kentucky sharpshooter Malik Monk.

The modern NBA places a premium on three point shooters, and Monk was one of the elite shooters from this draft class. Yes, he’s a little undersized, and doesn’t look like an above average perimeter defender yet, but Kentucky players by and large tend to work out and have successful NBA careers. It’s easy for players to be marginalized on a team with so many talented teammates, and there’s a good chance we didn’t get to see Monk’s full skill set in coach Calipari’s system. His shooting will be his biggest asset, but he’s already shown glimpses of developing a more all around game, such as when he scored 47 points to beat eventual national champions UNC.

Charlotte made it clear they want to win now by trading for Dwight Howard. While his best days are behind him, Howard can still be the difference maker any given night. All star point guard Kemba Walker will be even more effective with Monk spacing out the court with his shooting, creating more driving lanes for his teammates. Monk has the tools to prove himself as the steal of the draft.

Dallas Mavericks

Speaking of steals, you know a draft class is deep when there’s legitimate buzz that the ninth pick could end up being the best player in the class. Rick Carlisle claims that Dallas would have drafted North Carolina State point guard Dennis Smith Jr. with the first overall pick, and that could very well be true. Smith is oozing with potential, and might be the most explosive rookie in the league next season. Do not be surprised to see Smith be the Mavs’ starting point guard on opening day.

Smith has the confidence to enter the league with the poise of a seasoned veteran. He’ll make mistakes, but he’ll also be one of the leading scorers in this rookie class. Carlisle is one of the best coaches in the league, and will know how to maximize Smith’s talents and find out how to best utilize him with fellow young Mavericks Harrison Barnes and Nerlens Noel.

The Mavs are looking to contend in the final seasons of Dirk Nowitzki’s hall of fame career. Expect last season to be an anomaly, as the team hopes to get Dirk back to the playoffs this coming year.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns already have their franchise guy in Devin Booker, along with several interesting pieces including Eric Bledsoe and Marquese Chriss. They hope to have gotten their next piece to the puzzle in University of Kansas standout Josh Jackson.

The league is filled with elite wing players, and teams won’t be able to contend unless they can counter these premiere players with defensive stoppers. Jackson will provide defense, and then some. He’s an over-aggressive defender with a great motor who will look forward to guarding the opposing team’s best player any given night. Jackson’s athleticism and high upside potential makes him a great complimentary player next to Booker and his lights out shooting. Additionally, his dunking ability makes him liable to bring the crowd into a frenzy whenever he gets the ball.

Something is brewing out in the desert. The Suns are a very young team looking to rejoin the company of the Western Conference elite. If Jackson can make an immediate impact and prove he was worth the fourth pick in the draft, expect this team to make that leap sooner rather than later.

Golden State Warriors

After an exciting 16-1 run through the 2017 NBA Playoffs en route to the title, it appeared Warrior fans would finally get a break from the action as their team held no picks in the 2017 NBA Draft. However, it was a bit naive to expect that GM Bob Myers and the Warriors front office, which built their team around the expert drafting of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, would sit on their hands on draft night. The Warriors were able to buy into the second round, acquiring the draft rights to Oregon forward Jordan Bell for $3.5M from the Chicago Bulls.

This pick earns the Warriors another “A” draft grade because Bell was a projected mid- first round talent who fell to the second round mainly due to questions about his scoring ability. However, anyone who watched Bell in either the Pac-12 tournament or NCAA Tournament run to the Final Four last March knows that Bell is a tenacious defender and rebounder. He won the 2016-17 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award, averaging 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks per game.

Jordan Bell will get a chance to rejoin his Oregon teammate Chris Boucher, who has agreed to a two-way NBA contract with the Warriors. In addition, Bell will have a chance to be mentored by one of the best core’s in basketball. Draymond Green, another second round draft pick, is an idol for Bell and will look to help him continue to improve his defensive ability.

What are you waiting for? Catch these guys in action next season!

Though the draft is over, it is never too early to get excited about the next NBA season. The draft serves as a perfect opening to an exciting off season. Be sure to book a suite through Suite Experience Group to see your favorite young stars play live in the luxury of a private suite!

Hal Schwimmer

Contact Hal


Posted in Sports News

College Football Kickoff

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Cameron Nickels

Great news to start the weekend: the return of college football is now officially 2 weeks away. And if you’re not already totally amped for the season, well…

For starters, give this a try: College Football HYPE Video 2016.

Opening weekend is LOADED with marquee match-ups. Here’s your annual CFB primer highlighting the must-watch games of opening weekend along with our shortlist of some elite athletes who are well worth the price of admission (preferably in a suite) in 2016-17:

Wisconsin (21) vs. LSU (16) – Historic Lambeau Field; Green Bay, Wisconsin – 9/3 Suites still available

Clemson (2) vs. Auburn – Jordan-Hare Stadium; Auburn, Alabama – 9/3

Oklahoma (5) vs. Houston (8) – NRG Stadium; Houston, Texas – 9/3 Suites still available

 UCLA (23) vs. Texas A&M – Kyle Field; College Station, Texas – 9/3

 USC vs. Alabama (1) – AT&T Stadium; Dallas, Texas – 9/3 Suites still available

Myles Garrett – DE, Texas A&M – 6’5 262

Evoking physical comparisons to Julius Peppers, Mario Williams, and Jadeveon Clowney, Texas A&M defensive end, Myles Garrett, is an elite talent with game-changing potential. Garrett is freakishly built and has the football IQ to match. He plays with impressive fluidity and a non-stop motor. Although only a junior, Garret has the complete skillset of a three-down defensive end who can rush the passer and stop the run. With room to bulk up, scouts anticipate Garrett can grow into another 10-15 lbs. of muscle before entering the NFL. Garrett has a markedly quick first step off the edge – perhaps the most important skill for a 4-3 defensive end. Although Garrett has been productive as an underclassman, he was overshadowed by the likes of former CFB defensive stars Jadaveon Clowney and Khalil Mack. Look for Garrett to be SEC Defensive POY and a legitimate top 5 pick come the 2017 NFL Draft.

Greg Ward JR – QB, Houston – 6’0 185

2,000 yard passer, 1,000 yard rusher and 38 combined touchdowns in 2015. Even if we told you he was the QB of the 8th ranked team in the country, not many people would guess it was Houston QB, Greg Ward Jr. Perhaps due to Ward’s unassuming demeanor or maybe his smaller stature, Ward Jr.’s talent has gone underappreciated. Ward Jr. is a true dual-threat. He can run and throw; he’s the modern athlete playing the quarterback position. Heck, put Ward Jr. at cornerback and he would probably be above-average. Ward Jr. has electric natural ability and, as a converted wide receiver, he is just now starting to feel comfortable reading defenses. Ward’s game should finally get national recognition this year as the Houston Cougars open the season ranked 8th in both the USA Today and Coaches polls.

OJ Howard – TE, Alabama – 6’6 245

OJ Howard’s production didn’t quite corroborate his physical attributes. Then the 2016 National Championship happened. Howard caught 8 passes for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns. Howard is a fluid athlete with wide receiver speed in a tight end frame. He is rangy and explosive with strong hands. Howard has a tremendous catch radius. One more year of refined route running should cement him as a first round pick come next year’s draft. Howard, now a senior, will be a top offensive weapon for Alabama’s offense. You heard it here – this is the year Howard puts it all together as a 1,000 yard receiver and red zone touchdown machine.

Corey Clement – RB, Wisconsin – 5’10 228

Ron Dayne. Montee Ball. Melvin Gordon. Corey Clement? Clement was supposed to have his breakout season last year as a junior, but he struggled through injuries and missed plenty of games. While some expected Clement to declare for the NFL draft, he instead opted to return to Madison to attend to unfinished business. In a run-heavy offense, Clement will be the focal point. Running behind one of the nation’s best offensive lines, we think Clement is a legitimate Big Ten Offensive POY candidate and Heisman contender. Clement has the ideal frame to withstand running between the tackles while possessing enough burst to make defenders miss on the outside. Expect some huge games from Clement in 2016-17 as the Wisconsin running back tradition continues.

 

Pac-12 Championship game at Levi's Stadium

The Oregon Ducks defeated the Arizona Wildcats in the 2014 Pac-12 Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.

 

Cameron Nickels

Contact Cameron


Posted in Sports News

Five Storylines for the 2016-17 NHL Regular Season

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Cameron Nickels

The 2015-16 NHL season concluded with the Pittsburgh Penguins raising their second Stanley Cup in the last eight years. Although ice surfaces around the league will soon be melted for summer, June offers an exciting preview of the season to come.

Pepsi Center

The Pepsi Center in Denver, CO gets ready to host another regular season of Colorado Avalanche hockey.

Here’s a look at five storylines to keep an eye on for the upcoming 2016-17 NHL season:

1. Auston Matthews

18 year old phenom, Auston Matthews, is a lock to be the first overall pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Entry draft. Matthews is a touted, franchise prospect whose size, skill and versatility compares to Blackhawks star, Jonathan Toews. Will Matthews be able to revitalize a lethargic Toronto franchise? All eyes will be on him as he tries to live up to his big-time billing.

2. NHL in Vegas

The question is when, not if, the NHL will expand to Las Vegas. 2016-17 should be the year in which the NHL decides exactly when an expansion draft will take place. Where will the team play and what will they be named? Expansion into a non-traditional market will certainly be a test for the NHL – it will be interesting to follow this development.

3. Outdoor Games

Outdoor games are a fantastic hockey experience for fans and players alike, connecting the professional game back to its roots on the pond. Annually one of the hockey’s biggest attractions, the NHL will host multiple outdoor games in 2016-17:

  • Heritage Classic: Winnipeg Jets vs. Edmonton Oilers, Oct 15th   [Investors Group Field]
  • Centennial Classic: Detroit Red Wings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, Jan 1st [BMO Field]
  • Winter Classic: St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks, Jan 2nd [Busch Stadium]
  • Stadium Series: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers, Feb 18th [Heinz Field]

Browse our NHL suite inventory here.

4. Progression of Connor McDavid

Connor McDavid, touted as a once-in-a-generation-player, saw his rookie season cut short with injury. Nonetheless, the rookie forward posted an astonishing 48 points in 45 games. Can McDavid remain healthy for a full season? McDavid is can’t miss television with hall-of-fame potential.

5. Stamkos Sweepstakes

Free Agent forward, Steven Stamkos, will hit the Free Agent market on July 1st. Stamkos possesses the talent to singlehandedly alter the balance of power in the league depending on where he signs. The two time 50 goal scorer will command a massive contract. Rumors have linked Stamkos to the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.

NHL fans, don’t miss out on these exciting opportunities in 2016-17. Please contact us to book or click here if you’d like to view fantastic suite opportunities for the upcoming NHL season. SEG retains the largest suite inventory for NHL games. We are pleased to assist you with all your suite needs.

Cameron Nickels

Contact Cameron


Posted in Sports News