EPTNBA 2013-14 Season - Page 121
| Forum Index > Sports |
|
icystorage
Jollibee19350 Posts
| ||
|
MassHysteria
United States3678 Posts
To add to your point of great ball movement; is that they are one of the lowest turnover teams in the league. The execution of their plays by their heavy-minute guys is pretty damn good, which is usually a sign of good coaching. Stotts will probably be mentioned for COTY if this keeps up for them (Batum is probably the only guy that you can reasonably expect to improve on his TO's still --maybe Mo although he plays PG--). | ||
Jibba
United States22883 Posts
| ||
|
cLutZ
United States19574 Posts
| ||
|
Ace
United States16096 Posts
Portland's offense doesn't collapse without Aldridge. They are just fine even when teams don't double him. He's still below league average efficiency scoring for the season, using superstar level possessions and the team is #1 in ORTG. That is as clear as day that something bigger than Aldridge is going on. And we see Batum and Matthews putting up monster numbers whether Aldridge is around or not. This is the same team that was destroyed last year and Aldridge is the same guy as before and yet they are a lights out offensive team - you're ignoring the other guys and even Robin Lopez who is beasting a ton(aka Tyson Chandler syndrome). Aldridge uses the most possessions and scores the most points but that doesn't mean he is the reason they are winning a lot. As for Aldridge's defense he doesn't look noticeably better but I'll watch more games focused on his defense to be sure. Dirk has been lights out this year. No idea why he "isn't in the conversation" anymore. Also when it comes to Dirk's rebounding - just like with Bosh what type are you talking about? Offensively they suffer since they aren't close to the paint enough and hit a ton of shot, defensively neither are train wrecks. Blake is pretty much on the same tier as Aldridge right now. The difference is Blake plays with a guy that will go down as an All Time Great and he isn't getting much credit. He isn't relying on his athleticism as much as before to get his points and even if he did - so what? That's what smart players are supposed to do. I'm going to comment on Aldridge's defense later, but they are far below league average and they have a top tier wing defender in Batum, Matthews has pretty much shot up from last year, and they are getting big minutes from Aldridge backed by Lopez. I'm skeptical for now. | ||
|
seiferoth10
3362 Posts
I still like LMA over Blake, but by the smallest of margins. | ||
|
MassHysteria
United States3678 Posts
On December 17 2013 10:22 Ace wrote: Dirk has been lights out this year. No idea why he "isn't in the conversation" anymore. Also when it comes to Dirk's rebounding - just like with Bosh what type are you talking about? Offensively they suffer since they aren't close to the paint enough and hit a ton of shot, defensively neither are train wrecks. Blake is pretty much on the same tier as Aldridge right now. The difference is Blake plays with a guy that will go down as an All Time Great and he isn't getting much credit. He isn't relying on his athleticism as much as before to get his points and even if he did - so what? That's what smart players are supposed to do. Dirk isn't in the conversation anymore because although still great and lights out, he has less of a role in playmaking this season (his role in offense has always been his greatest strength). I don't think we can solely focus on the numbers. He is getting more shots with other players initializing more of the offense for the team this season (hello Monta Ellis). If it was by design then so be it, but part of the reason is he just can't handle the load anymore (if not we could put Duncan in this convo too). I disagree that they are on the same tier, though that is a subjective thing ofc. LMA has a more refined game than Blake. And I don't think CP3 affects Blake the way you think. If anything he improves the image he gets, as Blake's shortcomings would be more exposed w/o Paul (when they lose, the blame and microscope will be on him). He is not a good enough player to say that CP3 takes away some of his due credit. I think it is right where it should be. | ||
|
FreedomMurder
Canada200 Posts
On December 17 2013 10:22 Ace wrote: @FW: Portland's offense doesn't collapse without Aldridge. They are just fine even when teams don't double him. He's still below league average efficiency scoring for the season, using superstar level possessions and the team is #1 in ORTG. That is as clear as day that something bigger than Aldridge is going on. And we see Batum and Matthews putting up monster numbers whether Aldridge is around or not. This is the same team that was destroyed last year and Aldridge is the same guy as before and yet they are a lights out offensive team - you're ignoring the other guys and even Robin Lopez who is beasting a ton(aka Tyson Chandler syndrome). Aldridge uses the most possessions and scores the most points but that doesn't mean he is the reason they are winning a lot. As for Aldridge's defense he doesn't look noticeably better but I'll watch more games focused on his defense to be sure. Dirk has been lights out this year. No idea why he "isn't in the conversation" anymore. Also when it comes to Dirk's rebounding - just like with Bosh what type are you talking about? Offensively they suffer since they aren't close to the paint enough and hit a ton of shot, defensively neither are train wrecks. Blake is pretty much on the same tier as Aldridge right now. The difference is Blake plays with a guy that will go down as an All Time Great and he isn't getting much credit. He isn't relying on his athleticism as much as before to get his points and even if he did - so what? That's what smart players are supposed to do. I'm going to comment on Aldridge's defense later, but they are far below league average and they have a top tier wing defender in Batum, Matthews has pretty much shot up from last year, and they are getting big minutes from Aldridge backed by Lopez. I'm skeptical for now. I think everyone undervalued Aldridge before this year because his team couldn't fully take advantage of the situations he puts you in as a team. Now Batum, Matthews and Lilliard are more consistent from 3 (all their percentages are up). You add Mo Williams range and off the bench ball movement along with Robin Lopez gritty post play(as you mentioned) it sets up LMA perfectly to shine and he is performing like never before. Blake Griffin is alsoT in a great situation to prosper (amazing coach, amazing pc, good center, veteran leadership around him) and he is having a great season but I don't think he impacts the game the same way LMA does. Imagine LMA on the Clippers instead of Blake, now tell me that team wouldn't be better.... He averages less fouls per game and less turnovers while having the ball in his hands more... | ||
|
iamho
United States3347 Posts
| ||
|
FreedomMurder
Canada200 Posts
On December 17 2013 09:31 icystorage wrote: if you're the suns, would you trade your picks for some 'win-now' players? No I wouldn't. The West is too stacked to try to "win now". Your core players are young and improving. I would perhaps trade Goran Dragic for some draft picks or a young big man as pg is Bledsoe's natural postion(but probably not because Dragic is really good). It sucks that they are in that zone where they might not make playoffs but won't get a lottery pick, but you can't sacrifice your future to try to win now when the west is so competitive at the moment. | ||
|
AxionSteel
United States7754 Posts
On December 17 2013 01:56 FreedomMurder wrote: Any Raptors fans in here? What do you guys think of moving Kyle Lowry? We are in talks with the Knicks currently. If we have to take on Felton and MWPS contract without getting Shumpert I'm not interested in this deal, I really don't care about the 2018 1st rounder they are offering up, and Tim Hardaway Jr. is just another version of Terrence Ross. Always liked the raptors and want them to succeed. If you want the raptors to tank and get a decent pick this draft then you probably want Lowry traded. His value is probably rather highish ATM. Keep Casey though, until the end of the season, as he's perfect for the tank. What you said about Tross is an insult to him IMO. He's a big time talent and I think a lot of raptors fans get annoyed with his inconsistency but he really isn't put in position to succeed with sporadic minutes. Hopefully he gets to start the rest of the season, but knowing Casey, he will probably give the minutes to The washed up Salmons for his "experience". | ||
|
FreedomMurder
Canada200 Posts
On December 17 2013 11:47 AxionSteel wrote: Always liked the raptors and want them to succeed. If you want the raptors to tank and get a decent pick this draft then you probably want Lowry traded. His value is probably rather highish ATM. Keep Casey though, until the end of the season, as he's perfect for the tank. What you said about Tross is an insult to him IMO. He's a big time talent and I think a lot of raptors fans get annoyed with his inconsistency but he really isn't put in position to succeed with sporadic minutes. Hopefully he gets to start the rest of the season, but knowing Casey, he will probably give the minutes to The washed up Salmons for his "experience". Yeah its a bit harsh, and I realize his huge potential(way greater than Hardaway Jrs) and you are right with Rudy Gay he didn't get a good opportunity to showcase his skill, but I just notice his offensive game really impacts his effort in other areas of the game, but this is a staple of young, inexperienced players with tons of talent. I would be up for trading Lowry but I would really love to get a 1st round pick for him. I know it will be hard which is why I believe we should be patient with the situation and not rush anything. He's perfect for a lot of teams as the pg position is in demand right now with all the injuries and he has an expiring contract which allows for financial flexibility. I just don't want to unload a good player for nothing just to tank. To start another topic, what's everyones opinion on this years upcoming draft class. Tons of hype up here in Canada about Wiggins and how he should be #1 but I'm going to wait to wait and see what happens because there is a ton of talent in this ridiculous deep draft. Joel Embiid, Dante Exum and Julius Randle have tons of talent, I think Jabari Parker is the player that destroys college ball but then never reaches expectations in the NBA. | ||
|
cLutZ
United States19574 Posts
What have I been missing? | ||
|
Itsmedudeman
United States19229 Posts
| ||
|
AxionSteel
United States7754 Posts
It's really exciting. Especially for us Canadians and Aussies with Wiggins and Exum very highly regarded. I really disagree with Parker. He is not a poor athlete like he was scouted as, he's so skilled offensively. He is no worse athletically than Paul pierce or Carmelo anthony, and I think his offensive skilllset is easily in that league. Defensively he is bad ATM, gets lost a lot and has ordinary lateral quickness. Embiid is really skyrocketing ATM, now that he is starting and playing good minutes, he is a chance to go top 3. You have to be interested in his skills. Will be interested to see how exums stock holds up with such talented players going at it all the time in college. | ||
|
FreedomMurder
Canada200 Posts
On December 17 2013 12:08 AxionSteel wrote: @freedom It's really exciting. Especially for us Canadians and Aussies with Wiggins and Exum very highly regarded. I really disagree with Parker. He is not a poor athlete like he was scouted as, he's so skilled offensively. He is no worse athletically than Paul pierce or Carmelo anthony, and I think his offensive skilllset is easily in that league. Defensively he is bad ATM, gets lost a lot and has ordinary lateral quickness. Embiid is really skyrocketing ATM, now that he is starting and playing good minutes, he is a chance to go top 3. You have to be interested in his skills. Will be interested to see how exums stock holds up with such talented players going at it all the time in college. I just feel like Parker's game is just to one dimensional. He's a dangerous scorer but I feel he could end up being some "heatcheck" guy in the league that could explode at any moment but kills ball movement. I could definitely be wrong who knows what will really happen. I do think Exum will be a great player, a lot of people don't give him credit because of the competition hes faced to this point but being 6 6' with the handles of a smaller guard with extreme athleticism give him ridiculous potential. I do think that Wiggins or Embiid have the great potential in this draft. Embiid has only been playing since 2011, and he's already to technically sound. He's got nice post moves, good positioning and he can run so smoothly down the floor which is extremely rare for a 7 footer. I think he will end up being a force in the league barring an injuries. | ||
|
AxionSteel
United States7754 Posts
 I do agree he has tried to do too much on occasion so far, but he's a very smart guy and I wouldn't worry too much about that. I think scouts would prefer seeing the aggressive Parker to the very passive way Wiggins has started off this season. He's regularly been mentioned as someone who lacks a killer instinct, and so far he still looks like that to me. | ||
|
cLutZ
United States19574 Posts
| ||
|
FreedomMurder
Canada200 Posts
| ||
|
seiferoth10
3362 Posts
Can't really comment on defense, too busy watching Spurs offense. | ||
| ||
