The Official 2013-14 Around The NBA Thread......

I didn't watch the first GSW-PHX game, but I did watch last night. Looked like GS was selling out trying to stop Dragic and Bledsoe and it worked- they only took 9 shots a piece. Iguodala did not play in their first matchup and apparently Bledsoe torched Steph and Klay. Iggy quelled Bledsoe and Klay did a good job on Dragic last night (Bogut also DESTROYED Dragic at the rim 3 times). Lee was all over Frye at the 3 pt line (I don't understand why other teams sag off as though he could drive...). The Warriors played up tempo with them, crushed them on the glass, and the W's closed out hard on their shooters while Bogut dominated the paint. W's really didn't shoot well until late in the game but PHoenix pushed the tempo and the W's beat the hell out of them in that style.

Also Bogut's stats don't pop out at you but he absolutely controlled the paint. Hornacek wouldn't put Plumlee back in the game in the second half because he wanted Bogut out of the game. They were getting shiet in the paint.

I know people don't like to give Lee credit for anything, but he can score in a lot of ways. He can't post like Aldridge, but he can post smaller guys, drive right around bigger guys, he passes very well, gets FTs, scores inside a lot. He may only have his back to the basket 2-3 times a game but you can give him the ball 14 feet from the rim and he can get a decent shot.

And if you've seen GS play even one game you've seen that they use Klay and Barnes to pound smaller guards on the block very frequently. Neither one is a wizard down low but if you get the right matchup (see: Klay vs. Lillard). Its not traditional, but they take advantage of their mismatches and teams like Phoenix with two small guards are particularly vulnerable.

 

Who is better than Bogut on Portland? Robin Lopez? I'd like to hear a reasoned argument for that. Wes or Batum are not better than Iggy but I can see how you could possibly think that.

 

I don't have an argument for one or the other, but their stats are much closer than I thought they'd be. Bogut scores more (slightly), rebounds more (about 2-3 per 36), shoots a better and their blocks are similar.

I think the two of them are a wash. Both have similar PERs too.

Well, Batum averages more points, rebounds, assists, shoots better from the FT line and averages more blocks. Andres defensive rating is better (5 points) but his offensive rating is lower (-3 points). The usage rating favors batum, so that plays a part of course.

Wesley averages more points, more rebounds (a surprise to me), better from the FT line and Andre defensive rating is better (by about 7 points) but Wesleys offensive rating is 12 points higher. Usage rating favors wesley, so that plays a part of course.

Both Nic and Wesley have higher PERs.

Of course, that is assuming I understand how the usage ratings work...more plays for player usually mean more points? So if a higher ratings % should skew stats for one player vs another, right? I think Andre is a better defensive player than both Wesley and Nic, but not a lot. Andre can create for himself a ton better though.

All in all, I think the 5 players discussed as very similar to each other in their abilities.

 

I was referencing defense only, which the post I was quoting alluded to.

Bogut has a ridiculous 95 DRTG, 20+% rebound %, higher block %. When Bogut's right he really is a dominant defensive C, and he's been on a roll the last month or so. Robin isn't as good on defense (but not bad), I think he's actually got a better scoring game than Bogut and consistency-wise he seems to be healthy and high-motor all the time. IMO Bogut is a tier above him defensively when healthy.

 

was going on a tangent from what you said, not responding TO what you said. sorry for any confusion.

 

No need to apologize, it was a good post.