NBA Playoffs: Which Teams Need Rayvonte Rice?
The NBA Playoffs are starting up and that means the top 8 teams in each conference compete for one goal which is an NBA Championship. While these teams are good, some teams still have deficiencies.
Illinois basketball guard Rayvonte Rice will be heading into the NBA Draft in hopes that he will be picked. Even if he is not picked he still has some value in the NBA.
Rice is a solid combo guard that has okay court vision and can shoot the ball pretty well. He has a big body that can bounce of defenders as he is going through the lane as well. Having Rice’s size and shooting ability will automatically make him a threat.
The 16 teams that are in the NBA Playoffs are all good teams but could any of those teams use the services of Rice?
No. 1 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 8 Brooklyn Nets
The Hawks are a one seed for a reason; they are really good. They really don’t need another guard on their team. Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, and Kent Bazemore take up most of the minutes so Rice wouldn’t see any playing time.
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The Brooklyn Nets on the other hand could use Rice. They currently have Deron Williams and Jarrett Jack getting the most minutes but adding Rice would give them some rest.
Williams has dealt with injuries over the years so another physical guard to fill in some minutes would benefit the Nets greatly.
No. 2 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 7 Boston Celtics
The Cavaliers are the best team in the NBA according to me. They have the best player in the league and have a guard that can shoot and pass the ball. With that being said, I think they could use Rice.
Right now the Cavs have Kyrie Irving and JR Smith that would take the most minutes up but having Rice come off the bench could throw another tier into their offense.
Rice would be able to drive the lane and get to the line on a consistent basis for the Cavs.
The Celtics could also use Rice’s services. He actually might be able to get solid playing minutes. The Celtics have Evan Turner, Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart who are all taking up the most minutes but I think Rice could find some time. Turner is a journeyman player who might not be with the team too much longer.
My only worry with this team is Smart is pretty much the same player as Rice. The Celtics are young so I think this would be a good marriage.
No. 3 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 6 Milwaukee Bucks
I could see Rice getting some solid minutes with the Bulls. Derrick Rose has been injured for about 4 years now so there is always a question with him. The rest of the guards are mediocre and/or they are getting old so there would be some room on the roster.
I actually would like to see Rice with the Bulls. It would keep him home and it would probably be a perfect fit out of all the teams in the NBA.
The Bucks are a six seed but Rice would not be a good fit with this team. He would get lost in the mix of the six guards that are already on the team.
They have a very young team so no one is getting moved any time soon. Rice needs to avoid heading to Milwaukee.
No. 4 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 5 Washington Wizards
The Raptors are all set at the guard position. This would be a bad team for Rice to go to. They have five guards that could start for a majority of teams in the NBA.
Rice wouldn’t be much of a help to the Raptors. He wouldn’t see playing time.
Unlike the Raptors, the Wizards could use Rice. They only really have two guards, John Wall and Brad Beal, but after that they get kind of thin.
Adding Rice to the Wizards would give them depth and a physical threat driving through the lane.
No. 1 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans
The Warriors are the best team in the Western Conference and heading into the NBA Playoffs many people are picking them to win the championship.
Rice would not fit in with the Warriors. They are very guard heavy and are deep at the position. Rice would not see any playing time.
The Pelicans are a team that might be able to fit Rice in. They have a few guards that would start over Rice but after those guards the backup position is really up for grabs.
I think Rice would be a nice change of pace guard for the Pelicans. He would be a terror in the lane unlike the guards they have right now who are mainly perimeter shooters.
No. 2 Houston Rockets vs. No. 7 Dallas Mavericks
The Rockets are a team that doesn’t have great depth at the guard position. They have James Harden and Patrick Beverley but then it really drops off.
Rice would fit in well with this team and actually might see some solid playing time. Harden is pretty much the same size as Rice and is the same type of player but he needs to have some rest and that is where Rice would come in.
The Rockets need more depth at guard and Rice would be that answer.
The Mavericks on the other hand would not be a good fit for Rice. They have five guards that could start for almost any team in the NBA so Rice would get lost in the mix.
Rice would not be a good fit with the Mavs.
No. 3 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 6 San Antonio Spurs
The Clippers could always use more depth on their roster. They are a good team but they don’t have much as far as a rotation goes.
Adding Rice would help give some starters rest and it would make them fresher for the end of the games.
Right now the main guys for the Clippers at the guard position are Chris Paul and JJ Redick. Rice could find some playing time behind these two guys.
The Spurs like to rest their starters and bring in fresh rotations. Rice would actually be a great fit with the Spurs. They have an older team that could use a young power guard that can drive the lane.
I like Rice with the Spurs because they have great leadership and that is the guidance that he needs to be successful.
No. 4 Portland Trailblazers vs. No. 5 Memphis Grizzlies
The Trailblazers could be a good fit for Rice but he wouldn’t get a ton of playing time. They have solid guards right now but have dealt with some injuries.
Rice would be a benefit to the Trailblazers in this year’s playoffs. They need to continue to fill the void left by Wesley Matthews.
The Grizzles would be a perfect fit for Rice. They are thin at the guard position and Rice would be an impact player.
He could drive the lane and be a nice pace changer for the Grizzlies. They need more depth at the guard position.
If Rice ended up playing with the Grizzlies they would benefit from his services.