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2018 BIG3 season preview: Analysis, projections and picks

By John Hugar

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 12: Trilogy team co-captain Rashad McCants during the BIG3 2018 Player Draft at Fox Sports Studio on April 12, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rashad McCants
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 12: Trilogy team co-captain Rashad McCants during the BIG3 2018 Player Draft at Fox Sports Studio on April 12, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rashad McCants /
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The BIG3 kicks off their second season, in Houston, on June 22. Here’s everything you need to know to get set for a summer of fantastic basketball.

The BIG3 was a surprise success in its inaugural season. The site of former NBA greats (and not-so-greats who we loved anyway) going at it in a 3-on-3 halfcourt format was undeniably fun, and gave basketball fans something to geek out over while suffering through the drudgery of the offseason. The league is about to comeback for year two, and several exciting players have joined its ranks, looking to shake things up at the top of the standings. With that in mind, let’s look at the eight teams in the league, and determine who can compete for a title, and who might be getting humiliated off the court.

8. Ball Hogs (2017 Record: 2-6)

The good thing about this team is that they have a lot of fun players that contribute to the league’s nostalgic vibe, such as DeShawn Stevenson and Brian Scalabrine. The bad news is…that’s kind of it. While most BIG3 teams have at least one former All-Star (if not a Hall-Of-Famer), the Ball Hogs most visible presences are players who were fun role players on admittedly good teams, but were never major contributors. Granted, the nature of the league allows for a bit more parity than the predictable NBA, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is by far the least talented team in the league.

With the first pick in this year’s draft, the Hogs selected Andre Owens, who played in 54 NBA games with Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers before settling into a solid international career. Owens is a solid 3-point shooter will go a long way in developing their outside game, but it may not be enough to get them to hang with objectively better teams in the league. The Ball Hogs play into the spirit of the league perfectly; an unabashedly fun team with a suitably self-deprecating name. Fans who loved Scalabrine and Stevenson’s antics during their playing careers will find a lot to love about them. Unfortunately, their inability to sign any truly impactful players in the offseason means it’s likely that they’ll be hanging near the cellar of the league again. Their best chance at winning will ne to embrace their admittedly solid 3-point shooting, but even when looking at their best attribute, it’s hard not think that teams like Trilogy will be able to do it better.