Case File No. 49: Derik Queen

 

Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images.

Today, I look into the file of Pelicans center/power forward Derik Queen. After getting off to a slow start, at one point in  the season, he looked like a Rookie of the Year candidate until his benching a few months before the end of the season, but looked strong again before the season ended.

Team: New Orleans Pelicans

Position: Center/Power Forward

HT: 6-9 WT: 250

Credentials:

First-team All- Big 10 (2025)

Big Ten Freshman of the Year (2025)

Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2025)

NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2026)

Strengths:

-Good ball handler

-Deceptive when moving with the ball

-Very good passer with good court vision

-Can score in multiple ways

-Has range on his jump shot

-Good rebounder

-Versatile player offensively who fills up a stat sheet

Weaknesses:

-Languid movement, especially on defense

-Looks uninterested and lackadaisical at times

-Show more hustle  defensively

-Undersized center

Final Analysis:

For the most part, Derik had a promising rookie season. He's versatile as a scorer; he can score from the inside and outside, and attacking the basket. He handles the ball well for a big man, and he's a very good passer with timing and anticipation with good court vision.

He has a deceptive way of moving with the ball. In other words, when you look at him, he doesn't look like the type that will get by you, it looks easy to keep him in front of you, but if you blink, the next you know, he's going to the rim to score. He usually filled up the stat sheet across the board when given minutes.

He looks uninterested and lackadaisical at times, especially on the defensive end. There were times where he didn't hustle consistently, and looked as if he was just going through the motions. Although he will get a block or two occasionally--he averaged a shade under a block per game this season--he's not an intimidating shot blocker. From my understanding, this is what led to his benching later in the season. 

Derik's play has drawn comparisons to Nikola Jokic; he has admitted that Nikola is one of the players that he patterns his game after. I can see why those comparisons would be made in terms of being a good ball handler and passer for his position, his versatility as a scorer, and his subtle way of moving with the ball, but he reminds me more of (his team mate) Zion Williamson with more range, but not as explosive. 

Speaking of which, with he and Zion both being undersized, this can cause matchup problems on the defensive end. I think he would better off either as a power forward alongside a better center or as a center alongside a bigger (i.e. taller) power forward.

I also keep in mind that this was his rookie year, so there were going to be some growing pains, but overall, I think he has tons of upside. I definitely see All-NBA potential if he continues to develop and clean up a few things.

Case File No. 48: Mike Santana

 

Photo Source: aol.com.

Today, I uncover the case file of TNA wrestler Mike Santana. He's currently the TNA World Champion in his second reign.

HT: 5-11 WT: 230

Promotion: TNA

Credentials:

TNA World Champion (2x, current)

TNA Tag Team Champion (4x)

Strengths:

-Versatile in-ring performer

-Combination of speed, power, and agility

-Has fan/crowd engagement

-Has some charisma/personality

Weaknesses:

-Too much street life rhetoric on the mic/promos

-Has his moments on the mic, but overall, it could be better

Final Analysis:

Overall, Mike is nearly a complete package. In the ring, he shows a combination of speed, power, grappling, brawling, and high flying ability. He has some charisma and personality; it's not larger-than-life, and it doesn't have to be. What he does works for him. He's a draw with the fans; he has their engagement whether as a face or heel.

He have his moments on the mic, but overall, I'm not a fan of his mic skills. I think he peddles the street life narrative too much in his promos, however, that type of gimmick typically gets over with most fans, so, it is what it is, as that saying goes.

Mike has found a home in TNA, where he has transitioned from a tag team wrestler to main event status, becoming currently on their best wrestlers on the roster. He reminds me of a younger Eddie Kingston, except Mike is faster and more athletic, and I think Eddie is better on the mic. They have a similar wrestling style, and they both do too much with the street life/depression rhetoric. I'm not sure if that's what Mike was going for, but he reminds me a lot of Kingston.

Case File No. 47: Harley Cameron

 

Photo Source: wrestlezone.com.

Today, I uncover the case file of AEW wrestler Harley Cameron, who was one-half of the inaugural AEW Women's Tag Team champions.

HT: 5-8

Promotion: AEW

Credentials:

AEW Women's Tag Team Champion (1)

Strengths:

-Improving in the ring

-A willingness to improve

-Energetic

-Engaging with the audience

Weaknesses:

-Selling and executing moves still needs work

-Botches moves occasionally

-Learn to pace herself during the match

Final Analysis:

While I still think Harley's in-ring skills still needs work, she has come a long way compared to when I first started watching her. I like her effort and willingness to improve and show that she's more than just eye candy, and that goes a long way.

She's energetic...very energetic, and has the attention and appeal of the fans. While her mic skills/promos aren't great, I don't think she's bad in this area, either. I might go as far to say she's a little underrated. I think she's better than some women who have been in the business longer than her. She brings energy and some wordplay in her promos.

While she's improving in these areas, it's not as bad as it once was, her ability to execute and sell moves still needs improvement. She will still botch moves occasionally. Finally, I would say learn to pace herself better in the match, in other words, knowing when to slow it down, and when to turn it up. 

I would like to see what the creative team does with her moving forward because her personality reminds me of another Harley...Harley Quinn. I think that would be a very interesting direction to take her character--except I wouldn't have her dress like Harley Quinn--because I think she can pull it off, and it might help take her character and career to the next level.

I just found out recently that she's been wrestling for about four years, so while she has some experience, her career is still very young. There's definitely something there with Harley, and I would like to see her potential fully materialize.