So Far... Is this Lillard's Best Season Yet?

Agreed on all counts. I know PER gets shit on around here, and I understand why, but it still does a decent job of capturing overall offensive production (even if it shortchanges defensive impact) - especially when you also consider it in combination with other advanced stats such as WS/48, BPM, etc.

In spite of his poor 3FG% (which should improve over the course of the season), Dame's TS% of .582 is only .004 off his career high. His low 3FG% is largely offset by the fact that he is getting to the one a LOT more (FTr = .454, previous career high = .366) and making his FTs at a career high FT% of .932 (previous career high = .895).

His ORB%, TRB% and BLK% are all currently career highs, and his AST% and STL% are also close to his previous bests and his TOV% is near his career low.

Add it all up and it's easy to see why his current PER of 26.8 is his best, so far.

For those who don't understand all of those acronyms and abbreviations, all it really means is Lillard's total production is his best to date, because he's getting to the line more, knocking down his FTs, he's rebounding and passing well and not turning the ball over. He's also getting a lot of steals and blocks at the other end, a sign of his increased defensive intensity.

If he can keep this up, and get his 3FG% up near his career average, this will be his best overall season to date.

BNM

 

Nurk is playing awfully good lately... if this is the New Nurk, he might get picked by the coaching staff.

 

Davis and Cousins are both putting up huge numbers, but NOP has yet to beat a team with a winning record. They are 5-5 with their five wins coming against DAL (1-10), SAC (1-8), CHI (2-6), CLE (4-6) and LAL (5-5).

It will be interesting to see what happens if NOP has a losing record when the all star teams are announced. Lillard was left off the all star team last year due to his teams poor record. Will the same happen to both Cousins and Davis this year?

BNM

 

Only way nurk gets selected is if we're in the top three in the West.

 

That's his game though......that ain't gonna change. I'll stand by and support those heat check bombs.

 

If Nurk is playing well enough to get selected, we just might be top three in the west.

 

If even one goes in it throws defenses off for the rest of the game. Worth it to throw a couple up every game. It's Dame's psychological game.

 

You are too new for me to officially LIKE your post, but go on with your day knowing The HCP agrees with this.

 

None of those are locks.

 

Its CJ that is the turnover machine on this team.

 

But yet he’s averaging 22 ppg while shooting 45% from the field and a blistering 52% from 3s

 

No he's not and its not even close. Where do you get this stupid shit? C.J. is second on the team in minutes played, but 4th in TOV/game. He's 8th on the team in TOV per 100 possessions and 11th in TOV%.

His TOV,% of 8.4 is extremely GOOD for someone who handles the ball as much as he does. Dame is at 11.4 (still very good), Nurk is at 17.3 and Turner is at 19.6 (yuck).

You're post is an idiot.

BNM

 

Beat me to it!

BNM

 

You are going to get so roast----

Oh, you did. Good.

 

Well I think it's a combination of things.
Lillard is focusing on defense more.
It's on the coaching staff & Lillard that he's improved on the defensive end imo. Credit where it's due.
Now if they could only get CJ to stop dying on picks Portland wouldn't be half bad.

 

Oh, Coaching staff also put nurk in better positions instead of just throwing the ball into him and expecting him to score.
Nurk isn't Aldridge, he's a true pick and roll big. Let the big man roll and have Lillard find him.
Wasn't much of this to start the year, but the last couple games there has been a lot more rolling.
Credit where it's due.

There are other things I can question the coaching staff on.

 

Watch the games. CJ sneaks up behind teammates and yells BOO and scares them into turnovers. Duh