For the last four seasons, the Wisconsin Badgers have enjoyed the play of the best defender in school history, Michael Flowers.
Consistently called on to defend the opposing team's best player, Flowers has done an excellent job at the University of Wisconsin. He averaged 9.6 points, 2.7 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game.
Flowers also averaged over 1.3 steals per game since his freshman year, including a career high of 1.7 last year.
He was a second-team All-Big Ten and first-team All Big Ten Defensive Team selection. Flowers was a huge reason why the Badgers held their opponents to a national-low 54.5 points per game. He has been the Big Ten's best defensive player again.
Keep in mind that he's been this dominant at only 6-foot-2 and 183 pounds. Wait until he thickens out.
Look who Michael has been able to contain during College Basketball's recent season:
(W) Eric Gordon-16 points on 6-for-14 shooting
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(W) D.J. Augustin-16 points
(L) Demarcus Nelson-9 points on 3-for-11 shooting
(W) Wesley Matthews-6 points and 0 assists
He's also versatile. Flowers is regarded by many as the best one-on-one defender in the game, and he's a solid three point shooter at 41.2 percent.
While Flowers' offense may not leap at you, he brings tenacious defense and outstanding work ethic. He would bring a great attitude to Denver.
In my assessment, Michael Flowers is a Bruce Bowen: doing the dirty work, blanketing the premier player every night. He can knock down a three-pointer when needed too.
Why would he work with the Denver Nuggets?
1. He has a clean record, with no incidents at Wisconsin. That is a selling point to owner Stan Kroenke and coach George Karl.
2. Michael is an outstanding perimeter defender. The Nuggets foolishly passed up Ron Artest at the trading deadline. Instead, Flowers could be transformed into a star with help from Carmelo, A.I., and effective ball movement leading to open threes, which he can hit.
3. Flowers will be at a bargain come Draft Day, with few teams looking his way. He will be available when Denver's on the board. No deep hole will be drilled in Denver's pockets, and the Nuggets will gain much needed help on the defensive side. At the most I expect a three-year, $20 million deal.
4. Michael Flowers will be able to act as the perfect replacement for troubled guard J.R. Smith. Michael can do about everything J.R. can do, plus defend. The only problem is that the Nuggets would lose Smith's great ability to score in short bursts. In the long run, it will be a good move.
5. Well for one thing, he could guard Kobe Bryant. Or at least try.
In my eyes, Michael Flowers is the best defending guard who will come out of the draft.
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4 months ago
Skip Bayless called this guy the Bruce Bowen of college basketball during the NCAA Tourney. So if he is that good of a defender, I guess Denver could use him.
from 4 months ago
I agree with that assumption, he is a Bruce Bowen. Just without the dirty play.
His brother Jonte Flowers isn't that bad either. Winona State won the NCAA Dvision 2 Championship and Jonte had 30 points and was the MVP of the tournament.
But I'm sure his brother Michael could shut him down.
4 months ago
It's tough to judge how well Flowers might be able to score in the NBA. Wisconsin is clearly a defense first, offense second team.
I'm no fan of JR Smith...the exact opposite. But there is no denying that Smith is a real talent on offense. Trouble is, he knows that, too. It's an upset if he ever dishes off after getting the ball. He's good, but not that good.
Like your suggestion that Flowers would be able to take on an opponent's SG, but at his size, there are plenty of NBA players that would be tough for him to lock down.
Based on fitting a team, not order in the draft, I believe Flowers would be a very nice fit with the Spurs. Sure they already have Bowen, but Coach Popovich believes in defense and would bring out the best in Flowers.
Great analysis Sean!
4 months ago
As a guy from Wisconsin, I agree with you totally. Flowers needs to go to a team that needs a boost in defense and play rather quickly, and not sit on the bench and wait for some PT.
I think that Flowers is capable of producing more offensively than Bowen too. Wherever he goes, he will be a great addition.
from 4 months ago
You're right. Micheal Flowers can also drive and lay the ball up pretty effectively.
4 months ago
How'd he do against Stephen Curry in the Sweet Sixteen...okay, I'm sorry. I had to.
He is a legit defender. Denver needs all the help they can get on that send of the court. Flowers would be a nice fit there.
about 1 month ago
Flowers is good but the Big Ten rarely does well in other conferences, and Wisconsins defense is a colaborative effort on everyones part, without the defense metality of everyone he will not be as good. Yeah he had some games where the player he was guarding didn't score a lot but then he had some where they were puting up over 20 pts a game.....Neitzel and Curry for example. When you get into the NBA everyone is going to shoot well, and his small size just won't be a match.
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