STATS FROM CONFERENCE GAMES ONLY
*through January 21st
*must play 50 percent of team's minutes to qualify
Pct. of Team's Minutes Played
1. Jackson, TT: 96.9
2. Burgess, TT: 93.8
3. Zeno, TT: 93.1
4. Curry, OSU: 91.4
5. Jones, A&M: 88.1
6. Augustin, UT: 88.0
7. Durant, UT: 88.0
8. Richardson, NU: 87.5
9. Kirk, A&M: 86.9
10. Rush, KU: 86.7
eFG%
1. Kaun, KU: 74.1 (27 FGA)
2. Collins, KU: 71.4 (35 FGA)
3. Mason, UT: 69 (29 FGA)
4. Robinson, KU: 68.8 (16 FGA)
5. Curry, OSU: 64.1 (46 FGA)
6. Neal, OU: 64 (43 FGA)
7. Brown, MU: 63 (46 FGA)
8. Maric, NU: 62.5 (32 FGA)
9. Durant, UT: 61.2 (85 FGA)
10. Carter, OU: 58.5 (53 FGA)
...and the trailers
10. Griffin, OU: 42.4 (33 FGA)
9. Godbold, OU: 41.2 (34 FGA)
8. Rush, KU: 41 (50 FGA)
7. Chalmers, KU: 40.4 (26 FGA)
6. Jackson, TT: 40.2 (61 FGA)
5. Hoskins, KSU: 40.2 (61 FGA)
4. Strowbridge, NU: 37.5 (8 FGA)
3. Clark, ISU: 35.4 (24 FGA)
2. Bush, BU: 32 (25 FGA)
1. Monds, OSU: 21.7 (23 FGA)
PPWS
1. Robinson, KU: 1.45 (16 FGA + 6 FTA)
2. Collins, KU: 1.44 (35 FGA + 4 FTA)
3. Brown, MU: 1.43 (46 FGA + 31 FTA)
4. Kaun, KU: 1.42 (27 FGA + 9 FTA)
5. Curry, OSU: 1.38 (46 FGA + 27 FTA)
6. Mason, UT: 1.38 (29 FGA + 8 FTA)
7. Maric, NU: 1.36 (32 FGA + 21 FTA)
8. Durant, UT: 1.35 (85 FGA + 36 FTA)
9. Carter, OU: 1.31 (53 FGA + 31 FTA)
10. Neal, OU: 1.29 (43 FGA + 8 FTA)
...and the trailers
10. Williams, CU: 0.90 (29 FGA + 12 FTA)
9. Strowbridge, NU: 0.90 (8 FGA + 2 FTA)
8. Carter, BU: 0.89 (45 FGA + 3 FTA)
7. Wright, KU: 0.89 (34 FGA + 7 FTA)
6. Wright, KSU: 0.87 (39 FGA + 8 FTA)
5. Dove, OSU: 0.85 (8 FGA + 6 FTA)
4. Godbold, OU: 0.84 (34 FGA + 4 FTA)
3. Clark, ISU: 0.84 (24 FGA + 5 FTA)
2. Bush, BU: 0.83 (25 FGA + 12 FTA)
1. Monds, OSU: 0.58 (23 FGA + 7 FTA)
Points per 100 possessions
1. Durant, UT: 51.0
2. Brown, MU: 43.7
3. Maric, NU: 42.5
4. Carter, OU: 38.0
5. Hoskins, KSU: 34.7
6. Law, A&M: 34.4
7. Taylor, ISU: 33.6
8. Boggan, OSU: 32.9
9. Collins, KU: 31.3
10. White, NU: 29.7
...and the trailers
10. Chalmers, KU: 14.2
9. Robinson, KU: 13.8
8. Burgess, TT: 13.4
7. Bush, BU: 12.8
6. Horton, MU: 11.8
5. Kirk, A&M: 11.8
4. Clark, ISU: 8.8
3. Monds, OSU: 8.4
2. Strowbridge, NU: 8.2
1. Dove, OSU: 4.8
Assists per 100 possessions
1. Augustin, UT: 11.24
2. Collins, KU: 9.45
3. Coleman, CU: 8.37
4. Richardson, NU: 7.71
5. Robinson, KU: 7.67
6. Hannah, MU: 7.10
7. Taylor, ISU: 6.44
8. Johnson, OU: 6.41
9. Chalmers, KU: 6.36
10. Perry, NU: 5.91
Assist-to-turnover ratio
1. Perry, NU: 7.00
2. Strowbridge, NU: 4.00
3. Carter, BU: 3.33
4. Augustin, UT: 3.00
5. Richardson, NU: 3.00
6. Carter, OU: 3.00
7. Henry, NU: 2.50
8. Johnson, OU: 2.40
9. Kirk, A&M: 2.25
10. Robinson, KU: 2.14
Turnovers per 100 possessions
1. Perry, NU: 0.84
2. Strowbridge, NU: 1.02
3. Monds, OSU: 1.12
4. Kirk, A&M: 1.74
5. Jackson, TT: 2.02
...and the trailers
6. Wright, KU: 7.09
5. Coleman, CU: 7.17
4. Roby, CU: 7.25
3. Maric, NU: 7.58
2. Eaton, OSU: 7.96
1. Taylor, ISU: 8.94
Steals per 100 possessions
1. Chalmers, KU: 5.44
2. Lyons, MU: 5.06
3. Horton, MU: 4.58
4. Richardson, NU: 4.42
5. Coleman, CU: 4.05
6. Godbold, OU: 3.68
7. Wright, KU: 3.58
8. Augustin, UT: 3.39
9. Eaton, OSU: 3.35
10. Crocker, OU: 3.27
10. Griffin, OU: 3.27
Blocks per 100 possessions
1. Kaun, KU: 5.10
2. Wright, KU: 4.18
3. Hubalek, ISU: 3.75
4. James, UT: 3.28
5. Dove, OSU: 3.16
6. Rogers, BU: 2.96
7. Williams, CU: 2.53
Offensive Rebound Pct
1. James, UT: 15
2. Carter, OU: 14.6
3. Hoskins, KSU: 13.7
4. Durant, UT: 13.3
5. Boggan, OSU: 12.8
6. Griffin, OU: 12.8
7. W Johnson, ISU: 12.3
8. Maric, NU: 12.1
9. Hubalek, ISU: 11.8
10. Wright, KU: 9.6
Defensive Rebound Pct
1. Coleman, CU: 27.9
2. Jones, A&M: 27.8
3. Durant, UT: 27.5
4. Wright, KU: 26.1
5. Maric, NU: 24.9
6. W Johnson, ISU: 24.6
7. Hubalek, ISU: 23.6
8. Wright, KSU: 21.7
9. Kavaliauskas, A&M: 20.3
10. Boggan, OSU: 20.1
Monday, January 22, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
Conference Standings (by average efficiency margin) through 1/18/07
The at-risk profile aren't updated and it's Friday. These will have to do until next week when I promise updated at-risk profiles and individual stats (once teams have played half of their conference games).
ACC
Big 10
Big 12
Big East
MVC
Pac-10
SEC
ACC
| Team | Eff Margin | Record |
| Boston College | +19 | 5-0 |
| North Carolina | +16 | 3-1 |
| Duke | +12 | 2-2 |
| Georgia Tech | +3 | 2-2 |
| Virginia | +2 | 2-2 |
| Virginia Tech | +1 | 3-1 |
| Clemson | -3 | 3-2 |
| NC State | -8 | 1-3 |
| Florida St | -8 | 1-3 |
| Miami, FL | -10 | 2-3 |
| Maryland | -10 | 1-3 |
| Wake Forest | -13 | 1-4 |
Big 10
Big 12
| Team | Eff Margin | Record |
| Texas | +18 | 3-1 |
| Kansas | +16 | 3-0 |
| Texas A&M | +16 | 3-0 |
| Texas Tech | +12 | 2-1 |
| Oklahoma | +7 | 2-2 |
| Kansas St | +1 | 2-2 |
| Iowa St | 0 | 2-2 |
| Oklahoma St | -9 | 2-1 |
| Baylor | -10 | 1-3 |
| Missouri | -12 | 0-4 |
| Colorado | -20 | 1-3 |
| Nebraska | -20 | 0-2 |
Big East
| Team | Eff Margin | Record |
| Pittsburgh | +18 | 5-0 |
| West Virginia | +11 | 3-2 |
| Syracuse | +10 | 4-1 |
| Georgetown | +9 | 2-2 |
| Lousiville | +8 | 2-2 |
| DePaul | +6 | 3-2 |
| Providence | +6 | 2-2 |
| UConn | +2 | 2-3 |
| Marquette | 0 | 3-2 |
| Notre Dame | -2 | 3-2 |
| Seton Hall | -3 | 3-2 |
| Villanova | -3 | 2-3 |
| Rutgers | -13 | 1-4 |
| Cincinnati | -15 | 0-3 |
| St. John's | -16 | 1-4 |
| South Florida | -21 | 1-4 |
MVC
| Team | Eff Margin | Record |
| Creighton | +13 | 6-2 |
| Missouri St | +12 | 5-3 |
| Southern Illinois | +8 | 5-3 |
| Northern Iowa | +3 | 5-2 |
| Wichita St | +3 | 3-5 |
| Bradley | -4 | 4-4 |
| Evansville | -4 | 3-5 |
| Indiana St | -6 | 4-3 |
| Illinois St | -12 | 2-6 |
| Drake | -12 | 2-6 |
Pac-10
| Team | Eff Margin | Record |
| USC | +15 | 4-2 |
| Washington St | +11 | 4-2 |
| UCLA | +9 | 5-1 |
| Oregon | +7 | 5-1 |
| Arizona | +6 | 4-3 |
| Cal | -3 | 4-2 |
| Stanford | -3 | 3-3 |
| Washington | -7 | 1-5 |
| Arizona St | -16 | 0-7 |
| Oregon St | -18 | 1-5 |
SEC
| SEC West | Eff Margin | Record |
| Arkansas | +4 | 1-3 |
| LSU | +1 | 2-1 |
| Mississippi St | 0 | 1-2 |
| Auburn | -8 | 2-2 |
| Ole Miss | -11 | 1-3 |
| Alabama | -15 | 1-2 |
| SEC East | Eff Margin | Record |
| Kentucky | +30 | 4-0 |
| Florida | +30 | 3-0 |
| Georgia | +9 | 3-1 |
| Vanderbilt | +2 | 2-2 |
| Tennessee | 0 | 1-2 |
| South Carolina | -50 | 0-3 |
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
The Ron Artest/Josh Smith Three-Point Shootout: The Tortoise and The Hare Edition
I think it's useful to remember that nowhere in the story of the Tortoise and the Hare does the Tortoise have hernia surgery.
Mr. Artest is setting the bar awfully high (low?) while Mr. Smith is recuperating.
Through games of 1/9/07
Ron Artest: 26G, 24-94, 25.5%, 2.69 misses per game
Josh Smith: 25G, 19-70, 27.1%, 2.04 misses per game
Mr. Artest is setting the bar awfully high (low?) while Mr. Smith is recuperating.
Through games of 1/9/07
Ron Artest: 26G, 24-94, 25.5%, 2.69 misses per game
Josh Smith: 25G, 19-70, 27.1%, 2.04 misses per game
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Big 12 Predictions
1. Kansas 13-3
2. Texas A&M 12-4
Kansas and Texas A&M appear to be a bit better than the rest of the conference though I'm not convinced either team is particularly good and I wouldn't be surprised to see either team lose any single game other than those against Colorado, Iowa State, or Baylor. Even if they don't play any better than the Aggies, Kansas has a better chance of winning the conference title by virtue of their easier schedule.
3. Texas 10-6
Texas gets Missouri and Kansas State at home and I think they are well-suited to trouble Nebraska in Lincoln. As I mentioned yesterday, though I don't expect massive improvements on defense, Texas does have room to get better just by approaching mediocrity.
4. Oklahoma State 9-7
The Cowboys are down to six scholarship players which severely limits their margin for surviving misfortune. Boggan and Curry make them better than the clump of mediocre teams below them but not by much. If Obi Muonelo returns before the end of conference play it would greatly help Oklahoma State's chances.
5. Nebraska 9-7
6. Kansas State 9-7
7. Missouri 8-8
8. Texas Tech 7-9
9. Oklahoma 7-9
These teams will sort themselves out depending on how often they 1) win home games and 2) don't lose to Iowa State, Baylor, or Colorado. Nebraska, Kansas State, and Missouri have a built-in schedule advantage over Texas Tech and Oklahoma and appear more likely to finish in the top half of the conference based on that alone. Some good luck and good play in close games could get any of these teams to ten wins in conference.
Oklahoma is really bad offensively, though. I'm not sure good luck will be enough to get them over .500.
10. Iowa State 5-11
11. Baylor 4-12
There will be a couple of nights when a guard from one of these two teams gets hot and makes an opponent miserable but mostly these two talent-deprived, perimeter-heavy teams will be active and inefficient, their hot streaks lasting halves or parts of haves and merely rise to the level of irritation.
They are, however, clearly superior to...
12. Colorado 2-14
The "2" above is more representative of how little I think of the Big 12 in general this year than of any belief I have in Colorado's competence when it comes to playing the game of basketball. If they fail to win their home game agianst Iowa State on January 17th, they may well go in the tank for good as their next best chances to win are likely @Baylor and @Iowa State.
All-Big 12 Team
Kevin Durant, Player of the Year
Mario Boggan
Mario Chalmers
Aleks Maric
Jarrius Jackson
I'm not predicting that the above five will be the All-Big 12 team (either Acie Law or James Jones is sure to make that squad) rather that those will be the five best players in the league. The next five would include Jones and Law, AJ Abrams, JamesOn Curry, and Cartier Martin.
2. Texas A&M 12-4
Kansas and Texas A&M appear to be a bit better than the rest of the conference though I'm not convinced either team is particularly good and I wouldn't be surprised to see either team lose any single game other than those against Colorado, Iowa State, or Baylor. Even if they don't play any better than the Aggies, Kansas has a better chance of winning the conference title by virtue of their easier schedule.
3. Texas 10-6
Texas gets Missouri and Kansas State at home and I think they are well-suited to trouble Nebraska in Lincoln. As I mentioned yesterday, though I don't expect massive improvements on defense, Texas does have room to get better just by approaching mediocrity.
4. Oklahoma State 9-7
The Cowboys are down to six scholarship players which severely limits their margin for surviving misfortune. Boggan and Curry make them better than the clump of mediocre teams below them but not by much. If Obi Muonelo returns before the end of conference play it would greatly help Oklahoma State's chances.
5. Nebraska 9-7
6. Kansas State 9-7
7. Missouri 8-8
8. Texas Tech 7-9
9. Oklahoma 7-9
These teams will sort themselves out depending on how often they 1) win home games and 2) don't lose to Iowa State, Baylor, or Colorado. Nebraska, Kansas State, and Missouri have a built-in schedule advantage over Texas Tech and Oklahoma and appear more likely to finish in the top half of the conference based on that alone. Some good luck and good play in close games could get any of these teams to ten wins in conference.
Oklahoma is really bad offensively, though. I'm not sure good luck will be enough to get them over .500.
10. Iowa State 5-11
11. Baylor 4-12
There will be a couple of nights when a guard from one of these two teams gets hot and makes an opponent miserable but mostly these two talent-deprived, perimeter-heavy teams will be active and inefficient, their hot streaks lasting halves or parts of haves and merely rise to the level of irritation.
They are, however, clearly superior to...
12. Colorado 2-14
The "2" above is more representative of how little I think of the Big 12 in general this year than of any belief I have in Colorado's competence when it comes to playing the game of basketball. If they fail to win their home game agianst Iowa State on January 17th, they may well go in the tank for good as their next best chances to win are likely @Baylor and @Iowa State.
All-Big 12 Team
Kevin Durant, Player of the Year
Mario Boggan
Mario Chalmers
Aleks Maric
Jarrius Jackson
I'm not predicting that the above five will be the All-Big 12 team (either Acie Law or James Jones is sure to make that squad) rather that those will be the five best players in the league. The next five would include Jones and Law, AJ Abrams, JamesOn Curry, and Cartier Martin.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
The Ron Artest/Josh Smith Three-Pont Shootout, Pre-Trade, Post-Hernia Surgery Edition
Mr. Artest appears to be on his way out of Sacramento. Mr. Smith had hernia surgery yesterday and could be out for up to four weeks. Bi-weekly updates may be too frequent for the near future.
Casting about for other potential competitors to fill out the competition just underscores that these two players are unique and how disheartening are their efforts to normalize themselves. The other players who take and miss a significant number of three-pointers are generally playing hurt (Mike Bibby, Tracy McGrady) or generally ineffective (Antoine Walker, Stephen Jackson, Jamal Crawford in Larry Brown's absence). One might could make a case for a joint bid of Jason Kidd and Marcus Williams, but I cut Kidd some slack for occassionally having the ball in his hands as the shot clock winds down and shooting out of necessity rather than choice and I don't think Marcus Williams is very good.
Thus, the competition remains dual.
Through games of December 26th, 2006
Ron Artest: 19G, 19-72, 26.4%, 2.79 misses per game
Josh Smith: 25G, 19-70, 27.1%, 2.04 misses per game
Casting about for other potential competitors to fill out the competition just underscores that these two players are unique and how disheartening are their efforts to normalize themselves. The other players who take and miss a significant number of three-pointers are generally playing hurt (Mike Bibby, Tracy McGrady) or generally ineffective (Antoine Walker, Stephen Jackson, Jamal Crawford in Larry Brown's absence). One might could make a case for a joint bid of Jason Kidd and Marcus Williams, but I cut Kidd some slack for occassionally having the ball in his hands as the shot clock winds down and shooting out of necessity rather than choice and I don't think Marcus Williams is very good.
Thus, the competition remains dual.
Through games of December 26th, 2006
Ron Artest: 19G, 19-72, 26.4%, 2.79 misses per game
Josh Smith: 25G, 19-70, 27.1%, 2.04 misses per game
Thursday, December 21, 2006
PJ Tucker: Free?
Sam Mitchell may be coming around. Slowly.
PJ Tucker got his first meaningful minutes of the year last night against the Clippers playing the final 10 minutes of the second quarter. Tucker was 1-2 from the field, made his only free throw, grabbed three rebounds (two offensive), added three assists, and made only one turnover.
Then he didn't play in the second half.
Starters (*cough*) Kris Humphries and Joey Graham, who combined for seven points and six rebounds, no assists and one turnover in 18 first half minutes, were on the court to open the second half and helped turn an eight point Raptor halftime lead into a tie game half-way through the third quarter. The pair were replaced by Fred Jones and Andrea Bargnani and Toronto had a nine point lead by the end of the quarter.
Sam Mitchell, until I turned on the game last night, I assumed you didn't read Hoopinion. Now I'm not so sure. So, if you do, let me propose this: play PJ Tucker 15 to 20 minutes a night. If that seems like too much, remember, he's just one guy. You can still have either Humphries or Graham on the court if you really want to give some playing time to a young guy questing to achieve mediocrity in the NBA. Your second unit outplayed your starters last night. Hell, your second unit outplayed the Clippers' starters last night. Maybe they shouldn't be your second unit.
PJ Tucker got his first meaningful minutes of the year last night against the Clippers playing the final 10 minutes of the second quarter. Tucker was 1-2 from the field, made his only free throw, grabbed three rebounds (two offensive), added three assists, and made only one turnover.
Then he didn't play in the second half.
Starters (*cough*) Kris Humphries and Joey Graham, who combined for seven points and six rebounds, no assists and one turnover in 18 first half minutes, were on the court to open the second half and helped turn an eight point Raptor halftime lead into a tie game half-way through the third quarter. The pair were replaced by Fred Jones and Andrea Bargnani and Toronto had a nine point lead by the end of the quarter.
Sam Mitchell, until I turned on the game last night, I assumed you didn't read Hoopinion. Now I'm not so sure. So, if you do, let me propose this: play PJ Tucker 15 to 20 minutes a night. If that seems like too much, remember, he's just one guy. You can still have either Humphries or Graham on the court if you really want to give some playing time to a young guy questing to achieve mediocrity in the NBA. Your second unit outplayed your starters last night. Hell, your second unit outplayed the Clippers' starters last night. Maybe they shouldn't be your second unit.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Free PJ Tucker!
Last night in Phoenix, PJ Tucker got his first significant run since Toronto's first game of the year. It was garbage time to be sure, but who's to say they didn't get to garbage time in the first place because Sam Mitchell thinks that Joey Graham, Fred Jones, and Kris Humphries (DNP in Phoenix, but ahead of Tucker in the rotation generally) give the Raptors a better chance to be less bad than seven other bad Eastern Conference teams.
Graham has been somewhat improved this year, but he's still a one-dimensional player and there's nothing being accomplished beyond Mitchell setting the bar very low for his successor by using Graham and Jones behind Anthony Parker and Morris Peterson. The Kris Humphries preference is completely inexplicable.
This is a bad offensive team, next to last in the league in offensive rebounding and third from last in free throw rate. Tucker would immediately help in both those areas (though, to be fair, he would likely increase their turnover rate which currently sits third in the league).
November 1st, @ NJ: Tucker gets 8 minutes, scores 3 points (all on free throws) and gets 4 rebounds (1 offensive).
November 2nd-December 18th: Tucker plays in 8 of 23 games for a total of 23 minutes never playing more than 5 minutes in any one game. During this stretch he scores 4 points and grabs 2 rebounds (both offensive).
December 19th, @Phoenix: Tucker plays 19 minutes, scores 12 points and grabs 9 rebounds (4 offensive).
Graham has been somewhat improved this year, but he's still a one-dimensional player and there's nothing being accomplished beyond Mitchell setting the bar very low for his successor by using Graham and Jones behind Anthony Parker and Morris Peterson. The Kris Humphries preference is completely inexplicable.
This is a bad offensive team, next to last in the league in offensive rebounding and third from last in free throw rate. Tucker would immediately help in both those areas (though, to be fair, he would likely increase their turnover rate which currently sits third in the league).
November 1st, @ NJ: Tucker gets 8 minutes, scores 3 points (all on free throws) and gets 4 rebounds (1 offensive).
November 2nd-December 18th: Tucker plays in 8 of 23 games for a total of 23 minutes never playing more than 5 minutes in any one game. During this stretch he scores 4 points and grabs 2 rebounds (both offensive).
December 19th, @Phoenix: Tucker plays 19 minutes, scores 12 points and grabs 9 rebounds (4 offensive).
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
The Ron Artest/Josh Smith Three-Pont Shootout, Eleven Shopping Days Left Edition
I missed the Hawks/Kings game on Sunday night (being otherwise occupied) but Smith and Artest put on a clinic of self-abnegation, combining to go but 1-4 from three-point range.
To be fair, Antoine Walker (22.1%, 3.35 misses per game) puts both of our official competitors to shame, but Walker's poor shooting isn't suppressing his otherwise considerable value. He's just a bad basketball player at this point in his life.
Standings through December 12th
Ron Artest: 16G, 15-60, 25%, 2.81 misses per game
Josh Smith: 20G, 16-61, 26.2%, 2.25 misses per game
To be fair, Antoine Walker (22.1%, 3.35 misses per game) puts both of our official competitors to shame, but Walker's poor shooting isn't suppressing his otherwise considerable value. He's just a bad basketball player at this point in his life.
Standings through December 12th
Ron Artest: 16G, 15-60, 25%, 2.81 misses per game
Josh Smith: 20G, 16-61, 26.2%, 2.25 misses per game
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
The Ron Artest/Josh Smith Three-Point Shootout, Episode #4
I watched my first Hawks game in about a week last night (oh, how I regret having to miss Toronto's visit to town) and I saw Josh Smith go 3-16 from the field and 0-4 from three-point land. Floating around the perimeter, waiting for a teammate to penetrate and kick the ball out to him, Smith looked like he was auditioning for Matt Freije's role (were Matt Freije able to make open shots in the NBA).
Josh Smith isn't blessed with a huge variety of talents. Those that he possesses (running, jumping, on a good day passing) are quite obvious. Those that are beyond him (shooting, dribbling) are equally obvious. Mike Woodson has some bizarre (potential) amalgam of Kirilenko and Rodman on his hands and he's wasting him (or allowing Smith to waste himself) in a role of relative normalcy that emphasizes almost entirely his weaknesses.
On the year, 58% of Smith's shot attempts have been on jump shots. He's shooting 27.3 eFG% on those attempts. If the Hawks are going to try to expand his offensive game, I'd start with teaching him some post moves. If he's missing shots from the block at least he'll have a fair chance to get the offensive rebound.
Standings through November 28th
Ron Artest: 12G, 11-50, 22%, 3.25 misses per game
Josh Smith: 12G, 11-44, 25%, 2.75 misses per game
Josh Smith isn't blessed with a huge variety of talents. Those that he possesses (running, jumping, on a good day passing) are quite obvious. Those that are beyond him (shooting, dribbling) are equally obvious. Mike Woodson has some bizarre (potential) amalgam of Kirilenko and Rodman on his hands and he's wasting him (or allowing Smith to waste himself) in a role of relative normalcy that emphasizes almost entirely his weaknesses.
On the year, 58% of Smith's shot attempts have been on jump shots. He's shooting 27.3 eFG% on those attempts. If the Hawks are going to try to expand his offensive game, I'd start with teaching him some post moves. If he's missing shots from the block at least he'll have a fair chance to get the offensive rebound.
Standings through November 28th
Ron Artest: 12G, 11-50, 22%, 3.25 misses per game
Josh Smith: 12G, 11-44, 25%, 2.75 misses per game
Thursday, November 16, 2006
5 of the Night: November 15th, 2006
Games watched: Charlotte at San Antonio (overtime only, half-fetal following the Kansas/Oral Roberts debacle), Philadelphia at Seattle
Captain: Chris Paul
G: Jason Kidd, Mike Bibby
F: Paul Pierce
C: Emeka Okafor
Coach: Bernie Bickerstaff
Unofficial commendations: LeBron James, Keyon Dooling and Carlos Arroyo, Antoine Wright, Nenad Krstic and Jason Collins (see below), Manu Ginobili (when not shooting), Andre Iguodala, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Kevin Martin, Rashard Lewis, Shav Randolph, Chauncey Billups, Ryan Gomes, David Lee
Sticking it to John Hollinger: Hilton Armstrong, LaMarcus Aldridge, Renaldo Balkman, Adam Morrison, Kyle Lowry, Rajon Rondo
Back spasms make him an effective shooter which makes as much rational sense as anything else having to do with him: Ron Artest
Seriously, he's the new George McCloud: Martell Webster and/or Jarvis Hayes
F-minus: Brian Skinner and Andrew Bogut (In 48 minutes against the Nets they combined for 9 rebounds, 7 fouls, 4 turnovers, and 0 points.), Nick Collison, Earl Watson
Cuts: Lindsay Hunter, Flip Murray, Carlos Delfino
Captain: Chris Paul
G: Jason Kidd, Mike Bibby
F: Paul Pierce
C: Emeka Okafor
Coach: Bernie Bickerstaff
Unofficial commendations: LeBron James, Keyon Dooling and Carlos Arroyo, Antoine Wright, Nenad Krstic and Jason Collins (see below), Manu Ginobili (when not shooting), Andre Iguodala, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Kevin Martin, Rashard Lewis, Shav Randolph, Chauncey Billups, Ryan Gomes, David Lee
Sticking it to John Hollinger: Hilton Armstrong, LaMarcus Aldridge, Renaldo Balkman, Adam Morrison, Kyle Lowry, Rajon Rondo
Back spasms make him an effective shooter which makes as much rational sense as anything else having to do with him: Ron Artest
Seriously, he's the new George McCloud: Martell Webster and/or Jarvis Hayes
F-minus: Brian Skinner and Andrew Bogut (In 48 minutes against the Nets they combined for 9 rebounds, 7 fouls, 4 turnovers, and 0 points.), Nick Collison, Earl Watson
Cuts: Lindsay Hunter, Flip Murray, Carlos Delfino
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The Ron Artest/Josh Smith Three-Point Shootout, Episode #3
The below includes Artest's 2-5 shooting performance against Toronto on Sunday night. Smith has countered with 15 three-point attempts in his last two games, but Artest still leads across the board.
Standings through November 14th
Ron Artest: 6G, 4-26, 15.4%, 3.67 misses per game
Josh Smith: 7G, 11-33, 33.3%, 3.1 misses per game
Standings through November 14th
Ron Artest: 6G, 4-26, 15.4%, 3.67 misses per game
Josh Smith: 7G, 11-33, 33.3%, 3.1 misses per game
5 of the Night: November 14th, 2006
Games watched: Milwaukee at Atlanta, Denver at Miami, Chicago at Dallas (It's not a good sign for the Bulls to see Kirk Hinrich look so exhausted at the end of the 3rd Quarter of the 7th game of the season.), Clippers at Utah
Co-captains: Deron Williams, Matt Harpring, Carlos Boozer, and Mehmet Okur
F: Kevin Garnett
Coach: Jerry Sloan
Unofficial commendations: Tyronn Lue (Okay, he's probably better than Salim Stoudamire.), Michael Redd, Joe Johnson, Andre Miller, Dwyane Wade, Josh Childress, Carmelo Anthony, Peja Stojakovic, Tim Duncan, Luol Deng (on offense), Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Bosh, Emeka Okafor (May and Morrison show up, Okafor has another great night, Chris Paul doesn't make a field goal, and David West doesn't play because of his injury. Charlotte still loses. They're not a deep team, but I thought their first seven or eight would be enough to keep them respectable.), Erick Dampier, Mehmet Okur, Andris Biedrins (4-6! on free throws)
Punitive sprints: Chris Kaman, Shaun Livingston
Cuts: Gary Payton, whichever Raptor(s) let Mikey Dunleavy score 22 points and grab 8 rebounds
Co-captains: Deron Williams, Matt Harpring, Carlos Boozer, and Mehmet Okur
F: Kevin Garnett
Coach: Jerry Sloan
Unofficial commendations: Tyronn Lue (Okay, he's probably better than Salim Stoudamire.), Michael Redd, Joe Johnson, Andre Miller, Dwyane Wade, Josh Childress, Carmelo Anthony, Peja Stojakovic, Tim Duncan, Luol Deng (on offense), Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Bosh, Emeka Okafor (May and Morrison show up, Okafor has another great night, Chris Paul doesn't make a field goal, and David West doesn't play because of his injury. Charlotte still loses. They're not a deep team, but I thought their first seven or eight would be enough to keep them respectable.), Erick Dampier, Mehmet Okur, Andris Biedrins (4-6! on free throws)
Punitive sprints: Chris Kaman, Shaun Livingston
Cuts: Gary Payton, whichever Raptor(s) let Mikey Dunleavy score 22 points and grab 8 rebounds
Friday, November 10, 2006
5 of the Night: November 9th, 2006
Co-Captains: LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki
G: Jason Terry, Baron Davis
F: Drew Gooden
Coach: Mike Brown (I don't know if the official scorer in Cleveland provided some home cooking in crediting the Cavs with 38 assists on 45 field goals, but shooting 62% (eFG) from the floor and scoring 1.17 points per possession against Chicago is unquestionably a strong offensive performance.)
Unofficial commendations: Chris Paul, Leandro Barbosa, Kirk Hinrich, Monta Ellis, and Mickael Pietrus
New ball note for further research: One night after Paul Pierce committed 12 turnovers in the Celtics overtime win against Charlotte, Steve Nash turned the ball over 10 times against Dallas.
G: Jason Terry, Baron Davis
F: Drew Gooden
Coach: Mike Brown (I don't know if the official scorer in Cleveland provided some home cooking in crediting the Cavs with 38 assists on 45 field goals, but shooting 62% (eFG) from the floor and scoring 1.17 points per possession against Chicago is unquestionably a strong offensive performance.)
Unofficial commendations: Chris Paul, Leandro Barbosa, Kirk Hinrich, Monta Ellis, and Mickael Pietrus
New ball note for further research: One night after Paul Pierce committed 12 turnovers in the Celtics overtime win against Charlotte, Steve Nash turned the ball over 10 times against Dallas.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
5(s) of the Night: November 8th, 2006
I go out on a Wednesday night and I miss all sorts of exciting things around the Association. The below is cobbled together from highlights, recaps, and boxscores. The League Pass archives will get a work out as I try to catch up.
Captain: Jamal Crawford, gamewinner
G: Tony Parker, Vince Carter
F: Fabricio Oberto (11-11!)
C: Emeka Okafor
Coach: Gregg Popovich
2nd Five (one night only)
Captain: Paul Pierce (leading the league in rebounds, setting up Delonte West's gamewinner, and setting a single-game franchise record for turnovers)
G: Allen Iverson, Agent Zero
F: Wally Szczerbiak
C: Sam Dalembert
Coach: Nate McMillan
Unofficial commendations: Zach Randolph, Brevin Knight, Tracy McGrady, Ryan Gomes, Dikembe Mutombo, Charlie Bell, Chris Bosh, Cuttino Mobley, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Webber, David Lee, Kevin Martin, Carlos Boozer and Tim Duncan
Doghouse: Sean May (1 rebound in 29 minutes), 80% of Milwaukee's starting lineup (Bogut, Villanueva, Patterson, and Mo Williams watched the comeback against the Rockets), Beno Udrih, Channing Frye, Eddy Curry, and Jerry Sloan for sitting Boozer the entire 4th quarter
Cuts: Sasha Vujacic, Jake Voskuhl, Clifford Robinson (welcome back), and Bostjan Nachbar
Captain: Jamal Crawford, gamewinner
G: Tony Parker, Vince Carter
F: Fabricio Oberto (11-11!)
C: Emeka Okafor
Coach: Gregg Popovich
2nd Five (one night only)
Captain: Paul Pierce (leading the league in rebounds, setting up Delonte West's gamewinner, and setting a single-game franchise record for turnovers)
G: Allen Iverson, Agent Zero
F: Wally Szczerbiak
C: Sam Dalembert
Coach: Nate McMillan
Unofficial commendations: Zach Randolph, Brevin Knight, Tracy McGrady, Ryan Gomes, Dikembe Mutombo, Charlie Bell, Chris Bosh, Cuttino Mobley, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Webber, David Lee, Kevin Martin, Carlos Boozer and Tim Duncan
Doghouse: Sean May (1 rebound in 29 minutes), 80% of Milwaukee's starting lineup (Bogut, Villanueva, Patterson, and Mo Williams watched the comeback against the Rockets), Beno Udrih, Channing Frye, Eddy Curry, and Jerry Sloan for sitting Boozer the entire 4th quarter
Cuts: Sasha Vujacic, Jake Voskuhl, Clifford Robinson (welcome back), and Bostjan Nachbar
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Matters of Hoopinion, One Week In
This post by Wizznutzz, has convinced to strike the following from the record:
Hoopinion is for living with Brendan Haywood's bad possessions.
Moving on, Renaldo Balkman (sweet block on Tim Duncan during the Knicks' aborted comeback Monday night) is what I thought Josh Smith would be before I realized that Josh Smith is sui generis. Mike Woodson has the Hawks at 3-1 this year but he has yet to realize about Smith what Isiah Thomas has already demonstrated an understanding of w/r/t Balkman: He is a power forward. As long as Thomas doesn't overextend Balkman, he should provide some quality production in limited minutes.
Were Smith playing on the perimeter intermittently so as to get Marvin Williams on the floor at his best position, I'd have a mild concern rather than a complaint, but Woodson is playing Smith out of position so as to give a thus far overmatched Shelden Williams a plurality of minutes at the 4.
The best Hawks lineup right now is (Small guard)/Johnson/Childress/Smith/Pachulia. Their second best lineup has two small guards, two of Johnson/Childress/Smith, and Pachlia.
Woodson doesn't have any depth. I think he'll be best served by riding the few good players he has very heavily on the nights Atlanta has a chance to win and resting them often when their opponents put a game out of reach late in the 3rd or early in the 4th quarter.
Until Tyronn Lue stops making shots, he and Claxton should play the bulk of the minutes at the 1 as well as the leftover minutes behind Johnson and Childress. Wright should back up Pachulia and Smith. Depending on the opposition and which Hawks are in foul trouble, a combination of Stoudamire, Shelden Williams, Matt Freije, and Solomon Jones (in that order) should get what's left over until Marvin Williams returns.
Moving on, Renaldo Balkman (sweet block on Tim Duncan during the Knicks' aborted comeback Monday night) is what I thought Josh Smith would be before I realized that Josh Smith is sui generis. Mike Woodson has the Hawks at 3-1 this year but he has yet to realize about Smith what Isiah Thomas has already demonstrated an understanding of w/r/t Balkman: He is a power forward. As long as Thomas doesn't overextend Balkman, he should provide some quality production in limited minutes.
Were Smith playing on the perimeter intermittently so as to get Marvin Williams on the floor at his best position, I'd have a mild concern rather than a complaint, but Woodson is playing Smith out of position so as to give a thus far overmatched Shelden Williams a plurality of minutes at the 4.
The best Hawks lineup right now is (Small guard)/Johnson/Childress/Smith/Pachulia. Their second best lineup has two small guards, two of Johnson/Childress/Smith, and Pachlia.
Woodson doesn't have any depth. I think he'll be best served by riding the few good players he has very heavily on the nights Atlanta has a chance to win and resting them often when their opponents put a game out of reach late in the 3rd or early in the 4th quarter.
Until Tyronn Lue stops making shots, he and Claxton should play the bulk of the minutes at the 1 as well as the leftover minutes behind Johnson and Childress. Wright should back up Pachulia and Smith. Depending on the opposition and which Hawks are in foul trouble, a combination of Stoudamire, Shelden Williams, Matt Freije, and Solomon Jones (in that order) should get what's left over until Marvin Williams returns.
5 of the Night: November 7th, 2006
Games watched: Atlanta at Cleveland (overtime only), Seattle at Miami (last 8 minutes only)
Captain: Joe Johnson
G: Chris Paul, Tyronn Lue
F: Kevin Garnett
C: Andrew Bynum
Coach: Byron Scott
Unofficial commendations: Jermaine O'Neal, David West, Tyson Chandler, Rawle Marshall, Dorell Wright, Chuck Hayes, Randy Foye, Josh Smith, Drew Gooden, Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Cuts: Eric Snow, Damon Jones, David Wesley, Jannero Pargo, the guy(s) in New Orleans and/or at NBA.com that have Mickael Pietrus in the boxscore playing 12 minutes and putting up all zeros last night
Serious questions for: Danny Ferry, Mike Brown
Captain: Joe Johnson
G: Chris Paul, Tyronn Lue
F: Kevin Garnett
C: Andrew Bynum
Coach: Byron Scott
Unofficial commendations: Jermaine O'Neal, David West, Tyson Chandler, Rawle Marshall, Dorell Wright, Chuck Hayes, Randy Foye, Josh Smith, Drew Gooden, Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Cuts: Eric Snow, Damon Jones, David Wesley, Jannero Pargo, the guy(s) in New Orleans and/or at NBA.com that have Mickael Pietrus in the boxscore playing 12 minutes and putting up all zeros last night
Serious questions for: Danny Ferry, Mike Brown
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
5 of the Night: November 6th, 2006
Games watched: Washington at Orlando, Milwaukee at Chicago, San Antonio at New York, Detroit at Utah, Golden State at Dallas
Captain: Etan Thomas, Warrior Poet
G: Ben Gordon, Carlos Arroyo
F: Zach Randolph, Ron Artest (1-4 3PT)
Coach: Don Nelson (desire to get paid + 36 minutes of Dunleavy on the bench = for one night, a return to greatness)
Unofficial commendations: Tony Parker, Brent Barry, Jarrett Jack, Keyon Dooling (what?), Rasheed Wallace, Dirk Nowitzki
Cuts: Steve Balker, Martell Webster, Stephen Graham
Matchup for game of one-on-one that could stretch toward infinity if you required someone to win by two: Beno Udrih v. Nate Robinson
Captain: Etan Thomas, Warrior Poet
G: Ben Gordon, Carlos Arroyo
F: Zach Randolph, Ron Artest (1-4 3PT)
Coach: Don Nelson (desire to get paid + 36 minutes of Dunleavy on the bench = for one night, a return to greatness)
Unofficial commendations: Tony Parker, Brent Barry, Jarrett Jack, Keyon Dooling (what?), Rasheed Wallace, Dirk Nowitzki
Cuts: Steve Balker, Martell Webster, Stephen Graham
Matchup for game of one-on-one that could stretch toward infinity if you required someone to win by two: Beno Udrih v. Nate Robinson
Monday, November 06, 2006
The Ron Artest/Josh Smith Three-Point Shootout, Epsiode #2
Since I last wrote and you last read, Artest has surged ahead by failing to miss fewer than four three-pointers in any of Sacramento's three games this season while Smith has taken but three three-pointers in each of Atlanta's three games.
Artest has made just 21.4% of his jump shots this year.
Standings through 3 games
Ron Artest: 1-14, 7.1%
Josh Smith: 2-9, 22.2.%
Artest has made just 21.4% of his jump shots this year.
Standings through 3 games
Ron Artest: 1-14, 7.1%
Josh Smith: 2-9, 22.2.%
5 of the Night: November 5th, 2006
Games watched: Lakers at Seattle
Captain: Andre Iguadala
G: Allen Iverson
F: Shane Battier, Chris Bosh
C: Tim Ducan
Unofficial commendations: Ray Allen, Joe Johnson, Luke Ridnour, Brent Barry
Coach: Mo Cheeks
Cuts: Keyon Dooling, Jason Kapono
Captain: Andre Iguadala
G: Allen Iverson
F: Shane Battier, Chris Bosh
C: Tim Ducan
Unofficial commendations: Ray Allen, Joe Johnson, Luke Ridnour, Brent Barry
Coach: Mo Cheeks
Cuts: Keyon Dooling, Jason Kapono
Thursday, November 02, 2006
The Ron Artest/Josh Smith Three-Point Shootout
Two of my favorite players, absolute freaks of basketball nature both, have an unhealthy preoccupation with a facet of basketball that eludes their significant and varied talents.
Ron Artest and Josh Smith shoot a lot of three-pointers. And they don't make many.
Artest is a career 31% three-point shooter. In 40 games with Sacramento last year, he attempted 199 three-pointers. He made 30.8% of those.
Josh Smith is a career 28.6% three-point shooter. As of March 1st of last year, he started shooting a lot of three-pointers: 101 in 27 games after attempting 32 in the first 127 games of his career.
Standings Through One Game
Ron Artest: 0-4, 0%
Josh Smith: 0-3, 0%
Ron Artest and Josh Smith shoot a lot of three-pointers. And they don't make many.
Artest is a career 31% three-point shooter. In 40 games with Sacramento last year, he attempted 199 three-pointers. He made 30.8% of those.
Josh Smith is a career 28.6% three-point shooter. As of March 1st of last year, he started shooting a lot of three-pointers: 101 in 27 games after attempting 32 in the first 127 games of his career.
Standings Through One Game
Ron Artest: 0-4, 0%
Josh Smith: 0-3, 0%
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