[Semi-OT] The Lakers are an absolute Dumpster Fire and I am loving every second of it

I use stats because they often demonstrate the fallacy of assumption. I also wasn't suggesting that Reaves might start over Avdija so that's a straw man. Just that he might be better as a lead guard than Simons or Scoot. Would I want Reaves starting over Scoot? not really. I'd like to see Scoot as a full time starter for a season, instead of a limited minute backup

the Deni as PG suggestion has been made many times. I can't see it. I even question how good he'll be as a secondary facilitator compared with the rest of the NBA

player: assist rate - assist/turnover rate

Avdija: 19.9% - 1.43

Jalen Williams: 23.4% - 2.46
Alperen Sengun: 24.1% - 1.89
Amen Thompson: 16.9% - 1.90
Austin Reaves: 24.9% - 2.38
Jamal Murray: 23.2% - 2.92
Aaron Gordon: 15.0% - 2.25
Julius Randle: 22.5% - 1.65
Dante DiVencenzo: 20.2% - 2.27
Draymond Green: 26.2% - 2.20
Jimmy Butler: 26.5% - 4.05
Desmond Bane: 26.2% - 2.21
Sabonis: 26.0% - 2.09
Malik Monk: 25.7% - 2.28
Dinwiddie: 22.1% - 3.42
Devin Booker: 30.6% - 2.40
Stephen Castle: 22.8% - 1.88
Zion: 36.6% - 1.77
Jayson Tatum: 27.0% - 2.06
Josh Hart: 20.7% - 2.87
Andrew Nembhard: 22.5% - 2.91
Giannis: 36.0% - 2.10
Franz Wagner: 26.6% - 2.16
Paolo Banchero: 26.0% - 1.61
Adebayo: 20.0% - 2.09
Scottie Barnes: 27.7% - 2.04

Avdija: 19.9% - 1.43
Scoot: 28.1% - 1.89
Simons: 23.3% - 2.36
Banton: 21.5% - 1.86

Now, Deni's signature is turbo mode. I think he gets a lot of turnovers by relentlessly attacking the basket. Do he's probebly cut down on his turnovers by putting a bit of throttle on his dribble-penetration. But at this point, he just doesn't protect the ball and value possessions enough to be the secondary facilitator, let alone the first

oops....more stats....sorry

 

Agree. Which is exactly why I don't think their stats are the best way to compare all of them. Too many variables like how they play and who they are playing with. I mean, Reaves was playing alongside Luka and LBJ. Who you play with matters.

 

but Deni isn't the only player on that list that attacks the basket

Deni and Sengun both take around 32% of their shots at the rim. Giannis is over 50%; Amen 45%; Aaron Gordon 35%; Wagner 27%; Zion 60%

now, in order to get a fuller picture, would probably need to factor assisted FG rate

still, out of all those secondary facilitators, Deni had the 3rd lowest assist rate and by far the worst assist/turnover rate. So even adjusting his numbers up a little he's still not in the realm of an acceptable option as a PG, at least not compared to the rest of the NBA