If you're not on the L-Train, what are you waiting for?

His FTA have gone up from 3.9 during his rookie season to 5.2 this year, so they ARE calling it, just not as much as he would probably like. As he becomes more established, he will get more calls, and that percentage will come up. Making the All-Star team would go a long way towards that end. Regardless, I see the value in him attacking the basket, even if he doesn't make the shots. It's an important component to our team, because otherwise teams could just focus on the three point shot.

 

Agreed, I think he's already much closer to his natural "respect ceiling" than it seems. I did a calculation the other night that, if he got just one more whistle on a shot than he does now, he'd be up to 7 (sounds like 7.2) FTA's a night, which would be top 10 in the league. At his FT%, he'd be 3rd or 4th in the league in makes per night.

So it might be that he's trying too hard, or asking too much of the officials; he's never going to get half the calls he wants driving up the lane like that, and he might not even get 1/4 of what he wants. His game will likely change over time as he realizes this; and he'll probably get that extra whistle, so his percentage will go up. The thing is, he has to learn to finish or dish out on the drive, to be a threat to make (or the refs won't care to call the foul) or a threat to find a shooter (so teams will stop collapsing on him).

 

No it doesn't. Show me in the formula how eFg takes into account a possession where you're trying to get an open 3 and it never comes about.

 

Part of his problem is that he's not very good at creating contact. If you watch guys like Harden, Westbrook, etc, they are really good at creating contact while also having a good shot. Dame seems to try to avoid contact, which doesn't help him sell the call, and in trying to avoid the contact, he has to take a much more difficult shot.

 

Rose was the exact same his first 2 years in the league of contorting away from contact. Was always amazed just seeing him briefly, and then seeing box scores how someone who would attack so often never got to the line.

 

So when the discussion gets serious and there's actual conversation, not just shit stirring, it seems the Blazer Fanatic runs away with tail between her legs.

 

You're a good poster. Stick around.

 

Or, maybe she feels it's stupid to argue about LMA's value to the team, when everyone except a few well-known LMA haters, and a Bulls fan, seems to appreciate that value?

 

Thanks. It's tough to find anyone in Buffalo willing to talk NBA basketball, let alone Blazers.

 

Why does it have to be so black and white?

Why can't someone see a flaw that can be discussed? You guys are so hilarious with your "hater" references. You don't get to define who is and who is not a fan or a hater. Get off your high horse. Some of us like to discuss basketball beyond, "OMGERD 30-9!!!!!!!"

 

Actually Mixum is from Connecticut.

 

Hater is such an overused term. Oh well.

 

Why are you hating on the word hater? You're just a hater of people who use the term hater.

 

It's not just this thread that paints my view of blue9 and BrianfromWA as LMA detractors. It's a long-term pattern, verified and validated with each passing year. Sorry if that offends you, but we hear the same complaints over and over again from those two. Jump shots, poor rebounding, and "soft." It's as tiresome as Mediocore Man's "Assclown" or "Leonar_" stuff, but to his credit, MM doesn't spend an hour cherry-picking stats together that support a flimsy position. Of all times to be critical of LMA, this is the absolute worst, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who wouldn't mind a break from the negativity.