http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/2011.html Jesus. I knew it was bad, Roy, but jesus. And his defense (which isn't really accountable for) is probably even worse than Rudy's at this point. On a related note, it's really interesting to see what Andre Miller is doing. If he can keep it up, a PER of 20 is the highest of his career. Is it a statistical blip, and he'll drop down to norm? Or is it that his pass-first, ground based game is really benefiting from having multiple lob targets (Aldridge, Camby, Batum) and multiple perimeter shooters (Batum, Roy, Rudy, Johnson) for the first time in his career?
Six guys with PER > 15. I think few teams can say that. Roy's numbers are clearly down, but still quite respectable compared to other players.
I would think that eight at 14.3+ is even more unusual. That's getting deep into the bench with guys at roughly average starter level PER or better.
The Bulls have 3 guys with 20+ PER and then Deng (20+ PPG) at 16 PER. It's really good to have at least one guy over 20.
It's why they should be 8-3 right now but a couple bad plays and they're 6-5. They may have lost those two games to OKC but they're still better than them imo. Getting Przybilla back will help. Right now the Blazers aren't a very good rebounding team and being able to have one of Camby/Przy on the floor at all times will help rebounding and the defense. When Oden comes back....look out. I suppose I could be like a lot of posters here and think the season is over and the Blazers should rebuild but I think that's pretty silly.
You can pretty much guarantee Oden's PER will be above 15 too. And Joel was at 15 when he was last healthy for a full year. But yeah, I'd rather have one guy around 22 than two guys around 16. That's why I really don't think this team is "closer to a rebuild than to a championship," as MM put it. Teams that are "close to a rebuild" tend to have one or two guys in the upper teens in PER, and a whole lot of shit around them. When your team has as many guys as we do with a decent PER, there's some potential there.
Well if Roy was healthy he'd be in the 20's and I think Oden had a 23 PER last year. Batum is a respectable 18.3(and he's still getting better) PER and I would like to think Aldridge at some point can match his 19.1 PER from two seasons ago. The Blazers seem to have the players to get it done, just not the health, and that may never come.
If Oden comes back dominant you build around him, LMA and Batum. Roy is going to have to see limited minutes at this point there's no doubt about that. If we have a prayer in this league it rests on Oden's shoulders. If he can't get healthy and/or get his head on straight, then yeah, we're pretty much fucked. Unless you enjoy perrenial low lottery picks or first round exits. Personally, I hate that shit. I'd rather be a cellar dweller and get a lucky bounce.
I hated having a 21 win team more than anything. Even just one season. They are called "cellar dwellers" because they are dark, dank holes, and nobody fucking wants to be in the cellar for one more second than they have to. Unless it's a sexual bondage thing. Then being a cellar dweller just means you are really committed to the red ballgag lifestyle.
Not really. His defense has been pretty good so far (except against Deng). His three pointer just isn't falling yet. When that starts going in for him, I think he'll be ok. His turnovers are also way up. I really think he's just pressing too much to show he deserves his contract. Once he settles in, I think he'll be ok.
Matthews has been horrible so far. Through therapy, I am trying to give him more of a chance before I start making the voodoo doll though.
Maybe not, but it helps me. There is something very peaceful about sticking pins in a doll that resembles Nate every time I see him with his arms folded and Batum onm the bench less than 1/2 way through the 1st