Oh, really? I thought it had more to do with Greg playing 24 minutes to Noah's 33. (Greg's rebound rate is 20.4% to Noah's 19.7%). I'm not saying Noah doesn't have a great motor, but what you said just doesn't make any sense. If anything, Greg's great 'motor' (defensively) is what usually used to make him commit so many fouls, he just couldn't let plays go.
This is actually a valid point you make in regards to the rebounds. For comparison's sake: Joakim Noah has played 434 minutes and has grabbed 155 rebounds; on the other hand, Greg Oden has played 415 minutes and grabbed 142 rebounds. Considering Greg has more, and goes for more, blocks that put him out of position to rebound I would say they are comparable rebounders. Who would know how many rebounds Greg would be grabbing if he played even 9 more minutes a game. Edit: Also for argument's sake Greg plays on the number one team in terms of Rebound Rate, whereas Noah plays on the 22nd rated team in that category. Chicago also plays at the 17th rated pace on the league, whereas Portland plays 29th (or next to last). Portland also has a 53.9 rebound percentage where Chicago has a 49.1. Portland also maintains a plus 6.5 rebounding advantage over opposing teams, where Chicago owns a negative 1.5. These statistics may be seen here: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/statistics?stat=teamstatreb&season=2010&seasontype=2 here: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/statistics?stat=teamstatreb&season=2010&seasontype=2 and here: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/holl...ger/teamstats?sort=rr&seasonType=2&league=nba I guess rebound rate/rebound percentage is the same so I'm not particularly sure why it is listed under their normal team statistics then the special John Hollinger team statistics. A conspiracy, I imagine.
I think eventually Greg will be logging around 32-35 minutes per game. Where does that leave Joel? I'm not sure. I think we ideally need a backup center who can play some power forward. Of course, with the way Cunningham is playing, we might not need a backup four anymore
I've no idea where it leaves Joel - possibly on another team next year depending on if he opts out of his contract, and Greg stays healthy. Joel is very much a starter in this league (but he needs to start on a team with four other players that can score consistently in a variety of ways to be most effective), and he will never be one here again unless Greg goes down and no one wants that to happen. We'll need to find a rugged undersized center in college to replace Joel, most likely. Someone that wont command many minutes, but puts in a good effort and always hustles (I refuse to use McMillan's patented S word). I would really rather never see LaMarcus play extended minutes at center against Western competition; i.e, any playoff game.
I don't think we have the pieces to pry way Turiaf - at least the ones we'd be willing to part with; unless they start looking at the bottom line and trade him for cap relief. If there is any way we can package Blake and Travis to one of the big free agent teams for the summer of 2010. Or if Orlando doesn't want to keep paying Brandon Bass to sit on the bench and get limited minutes or DNP-CDs. It's doubtful that Travis is going to come back this season considering the injury he sustained and our medical curse with feet injuries inside the franchise. I doubt he resigns here next year because he'll be looking for bigger money, his role will have been reduced (I honestly believe we're a better team with Rudy getting more shots and time and Dante just putting in work-man like effort), and it probably just wont be a good fit any more. Since I think that is the case it'd be prudent to trade him to a team seeking cap relief, and if they think he'll miss more than 41 games they can collect on his insurance too. A Brandon Bass or a Udonis Haslem would be real nice, but I doubt Miami trades one of their scarce big men especially considering his experience. An unfortunate shame - for us.
Nate is actually racist. He only plays white people extended minutes. Roy and Aldridge get a pass because they're light skinned.
Given that the cap is supposed to go down I don't think Joel opts out. He may ask for a trade if he is unhappy with his PT. Sorry, I can't decipher the S word. A little help?
I'm thinking it's scrap. Although I think you may be right about Outlaw leaving, part of me is concerned that his injury this year will reduce offers he may have received in the off-season. For a guy who uses his athletic ability to create his shot, a foot injury could potentially make him less effective. I mean, if you're a GM, would you offer him a contract for more than he is making this year (since he presumably is looking for more money) when you haven't even seen how his game has changed after the injury in game situations?
I'd argue the opposite, that some of his foul trouble is a result of him getting sloppy when he is tired. He stops moving his feet, and starts bumping and reaching. Without looking up the stats, I would bet Oden leads the team in 3-second violations (at both ends) - another indicator of fatigue/sloppy play.
Logic says you are right, but reality (IMO) is that the the score of the game in the 4th dictates how teams play down the stretch. (are they protecting a lead, or are they trapping or throwing up 3's to get back into it) The refs also will even things out if one team is way ahead. (We have all seen that) Sure blowing one team out in the first half would make a difference, but for the most part things even out in the 4th and those that play best down the stretch win more.
I think it is sometimes when people go ballistic in game threads screaming about Nate sitting him. Not all the time, not many times, but a few times. I think it's just a little ridiculous some of the attitudes people have (not necessarily you) that Oden needs to just play ever minute possible and that team success can only revolve around Oden being in there. If anything, we just as much need to learn team success w/o Oden in there or we'll be screwed in the playoffs. No, it's called humor. If you honestly think that I'm trying to argue that SE believes Oden should learn karate on court while fending off guys with crowbars then I don't even know how to relate common basketball sense to you.
I'd say Joel is right up there with him, if not tied. Another way of looking at this is that defensively we're bad at stopping penetration on the perimeter, and our bigs are so used to having to help that they're over anticipating and getting caught in the lane for to long with no one to guard. Offensively 3 second violations aren't so much because of fatigue, but again over anticipating our guards putting up a shot, both Oden and Joel are fantastic on the offensive glass and hanging around the rim is just a prerequisite of that.
Agreed. If you didn't notice that the Blazers dominated every portion of the game where Oden was in, you weren't paying attention. Oden has the foul issue under control. You can tell he is easing off on guys he can't make plays on now, and in some situations, he is fouling guys when he knows he needs to due to the situation. Lopez had a big night. If Oden was used in the same way, he would have been right there too.
Stars win in this league, not role players. Your stars should approach 40 minutes a game. Not under 30. If you shoot a high percentage and outrebound your opponent, you will win a high percentage of your games. Oden brings rebounding. If you go to 82games and look up 5 man units, you will also notice that every 5 man unit that Oden plays on has an effective field goal percentage over .500 and every one that Joel is on is all the way from a .269 to a high percentage of .492. (With Aldridge and Roy in with him.) If you watch most nights now you will note that teams are double teaming Greg before he even has the ball. That is making the rest of the team better, even if he doesn't touch the ball on that posessions. That in itself, vindicates having him out on the floor for more minutes, even if he isn't active in the offense, and even if he is in foul trouble and playing soft in order to not foul out. So if you want to have Joel or Aldridge at center for more minutes. More power to you. But you probably aren't going to enjoy watching the game as much.
