The Sistine Series: NBA High-Ceiling Players
The Sistine Chapel ceiling is quite possibly the most famous ceiling in the world. It is renowned not only for the artistic beauty of the ceiling itself but also the technological achievement it took to be able to paint it. Michelangelo could have painted any ceiling and it would have been good, but he daringly shot for the moon because he wanted to make sure he had a canvas worthy of his genius. He shot for greatness. In the same way, the players I will identify for this series should fit certain criteria.
- They must not be quote-unquote stars. As to say that they can’t already be finished products.
- They must have an opportunity to greatly affect the team’s outcome. The player should either be a starter or a key bench player with an expandable role.
- They must have real ways to improve. There should be an easily identifiable and realistic roadmap to success.
- They must have an opportunity at greatness. Their “finished product” version should be a championship level player.
Though all of these criteria may not be met with each team, I will try to identify the best candidate.
The schedule will be as follows.
August 29: Atlanta Hawks
August 30: Boston Celtics
August 31: Brooklyn Nets
September 1: Charlotte Hornets
September 2: Chicago Bulls
September 5: Cleveland Cavaliers
September 6: Dallas Mavericks
September 7: Denver Nuggets
September 8: Detroit Pistons
September 9: Golden State Warriors
September 12: Houston Rockets
September 13: Indiana Pacers
September 14: Los Angeles Clippers
September 15: Los Angeles Lakers
September 16: Memphis Grizzlies
September 19: Miami Heat
September 20: Milwaukee Bucks
September 21: Minnesota Timberwolves
September 22: New Orleans Pelicans
September 23: New York Knicks
September 26: Oklahoma City
September 27: Orlando Magic
September 28: Philadelphia Sixers
September 29: Phoenix Suns
September 30: Portland Trail Blazers
October 3: Sacramento Kings
October 4: San Antonio Spurs
October 5: Toronto Raptors
October 6: Utah Jazz
October 7: Washington Wizards
Each of these will become links as the pieces are written so feel free to come back to this intro page to catch up at any time.
