We're tied for 4th with most 3-pointers attempted, but we're also making 42% of those tres, which is 2nd best in the league. We've scored 27 points per game on these threes, which is 3rd in the league. Given our schedule and record, I'd say "living by the 3" has been a good choice, given who our offensive weapons have been. We haven't been as successful with our mid-range jumpers. We're in the middle of the pack in attempts and we're the 5th worst in percentage. Aldridge's shots are partially to blame for this. We attempt the 4th least amount of inside shots, but of those inside shots, we make 64% (4th best in the league). Very few of our inside shots are blocked (actually only 7%; best in the league). We are 4th best in the league in getting dunks. Thanks to Przybilla and Oden. Aldridge's jumper will return. With Oden getting more time, I would expect, our shot attempts inside to increase without sacrificing greatly their percentage of success. This just displays, for me, that Nate's offense has been exactly what's necessary with the make up of our team. http://www.82games.com/0809/FGTEAM18.HTM
We have been, consistently, #1 or #2 in offensive efficiency this year. The problem is, was and will probably continue to be until we get Bayless some burn or trade for a better defensive PG - defense.
But don't you think the schedule has had a hand in those defensive numbers. I still believe we can be a solid defensive team. We've shown flashes of it already. I predict, trade or not, that our defensive stats will be level out once we get to the long home stand in December and January.
Interesting. Wonder if it's because we're on the road so much and not getting the hometown calls, especially when we've sunk a questionably contested shot.
I think that Greg getting more minutes will help us - and playing worse opponents on home turf will help us as well - but I would argue that we are far from solid even with these expected improvements - we might upgrade to "below-average" - but our defense stinks - no other way around it. Actually, Greg's minutes have already lifted us from worst in the NBA (before he came) to only 4th worst... Still - this team needs a much better perimeter defender from the PG spot and hopefully - Batum getting better offensively so he can stay in the game more - because he is already better than just anyone we have containing long, athletic perimeter players.
I think that the main reason for that is that we have only one player that attacks the rim off the dribble - Roy. His FT per game are actually up from last year. The dunks are usually either on a break or Greg / Joel getting the ball in a position where no-one is going to challenge them. Roy is our only legitimate And1 player.
